Presentist Anachronism and Ironic Humour in Period Screen Drama

Abstract

Some recent historical period screen dramas systematically include presentist anachronisms and ironic humour. Examples are TV series “Bridgerton” and “The Great” and movies “Mary Queen of Scots” and “The Favourite”. ‘Ironic period screen drama’ demonstrates a successful method of resolving the tension between past and present which challenges all historical narratives and provides support for the view of postmodern historians that presentist anachronism can be useful in a historical narrative.

Keywords

• screen drama
• performance
• history
• anachronism
• irony
• peggy phelan
• linda hutcheon
• bridgerton
• hilary mantel