Want To Try A Foreign Soap? Three British Soaps to Get Hooked On!

If you are looking for another soap to get seriously addicted to, but want something a little bit different, watching soaps from other countries is a great option. You can get the same regular dose of drama and discover a whole new host of interesting characters, but also get an idea of what life is like in a faraway place (or at least, what life is 'sort of like', through the soap lens!).

Obviously if you want to watch in English without subtitles, then soaps from English speaking countries are the way to go. While there are famous soaps from countries like Australia (Neighbours and Home & Away being the most popular), some of the world's biggest English language soaps come from the UK. With a good internet and TV package (you can find reviews of great packages at satellitetvcable.com), it is easier than ever to watch TV shows from around the world, so why not check out one of these three big UK soaps?

Coronation Street

Coronation Street, or 'Corrie' as it is affectionately known in England, is the oldest running UK soap, and has aired without a single hiatus since the 1960's. It has, of course, moved with the times, and also increased from one episode per week when it started to having a new 30 minute episode aired most days. It is set in a small town just outside of the well known Northern English city of Manchester, and a lot of the drama centers around the long running families and businesses who live there. Coronation Street has had some famous and groundbreaking storylines, and while it is known for its humor too, can often have some high drama with storylines including typical soap fare like betrayal, murder and romance.

Eastenders

Eastenders is the second longest running soap, and is made by the BBC. It has been competing with Corrie for popularity since it started in the early 80's, and is one of the best loved shows among Brits, with even people who 'don't like soaps' admitting to knowing what is happening in this prime time show. Set in London, Eastenders can often be quite gritty and often features crime based storylines as well as complicated ongoing family dramas. It can also be very funny, and of course gives you a chance to pick up some cool London slang terms!

Hollyoaks

Hollyoaks is a soap that is typically popular mostly with the 'twentysomething' demographic, and has a more glamorous feel than Coronation Street or Eastenders, with lots of good looking young people involved in all kinds of dramatic and intriguing stories. It is made by Channel 4, and if you have ever watched and enjoyed other Channel 4 shows that have made it across the Atlantic like Skins or Misfits chances are you'll love Hollyoaks!

Watching soaps from other countries can be really fun, and you'll quickly notice how the style of soap acting and writing differs between these UK shows and our own most popular soaps. Check them out!

NEWS: Will 'Nashville' Leave Nashville? 'Skins' Returning? Showtime Developing 'Snowfall'

Could 'Nashville' production be leaving for Austin?
Executives from the ABC television series Nashville have explored moving the production to other states, amid ongoing talks with local officials about an economic incentive package for a third season.

There's little doubt that if ABC picks up Nashville for a third season, the combined economic incentives from state and local government will be less lucrative than the show received for the first two seasons.

Discussions underway for 'Skins' return
Creator Bryan Elsley is in talks over the creation of a new series charting the lives of a fourth generation of party loving teens, a year after the final episode aired on E4.

Confirming that the show’s original broadcaster Channel 4 would not be involved, Elsley said, “The thing about the modern world now is that the future is neither film nor television series, not platform, nor not platforms. It is about collaboration, co-production and the internet. Somehow that equation has got to be worked out and I think it will be worked out quite quickly. Whether it will be worked out in time for Skins I don’t know."

HBO Ratings: Another Record for ‘Game of Thrones’
GoT averaged 6.9 million viewers for its 9 p.m. telecast, gaining about 300,000 viewers from last week (6.59 million) and about 1.55 million more than its episode on the final Sunday of last year (5.35 million), according to Nielsen. Its previous high had been the 6.635 million for its fourth-season premiere on April 6.

Showtime Drama To Chronicle Origins Of Crack Cocaine Epidemic In Los Angeles
John Singleton is returning to the setting of his debut feature Boyz In The Hood – 1984 Los Angeles — with Snowfall, a drama series project set up at Showtime. Told through the eyes of a young black kid from Compton, a Mexican wrestler and a CIA agent charged with running money to the Contras, Snowfall will examine the beginnings of the crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles. Allegedly fueled by CIA involvement stemming from the Iran-Contra affair, the drug started flowing to the U.S. in 1984, with Los Angeles as the first city to get hit hard.

Eva Longoria continues venture into politics, but will she run for office?
“I am focused on doing my part as a citizen. Whether it is through the Eva Longoria Foundation, which is focused on empowering Latinas via education and entrepreneurship, or making documentaries that humanize certain issues. I don't think you have to be a politician to be political.”

Ace Nollywood film producer, Amaka Igwe, dies at 51
Amaka Igwe, who was trained in theater arts, has produced movies, series and soap operas for television, film and video. In the 1990s the immensely popular soap opera, Checkmate, catapulted her to national renown and is among the standard-setting works for Nollywood productions.

Yahoo Bets on Live Music, New Original Web Series
This year's “newfront” presentations are underway, and Monday night saw Yahoo’s turn to pitch it’s new content offerings to media buyers.

The company’s senior executives took the opportunity to unveil two new original video series and a major partnership with entertainment firm Live Nation that will enable it to live-stream a new concert every day for an entire year.

Alibaba To Take Big Stake in Web Video Company Youku
Youku's TV dramas are mostly soap-opera-like programs with extended storylines. They had about 25 million average daily views in Q1, according to data from T.H. Capital. Internet users in China watching videos online jumped 83.8% last year to 247 million, according to statistics from the Chinese government.

NEWS: Jackie Zeman, Parker Posey, Sean Maguire, Hannah Murray, Terrence Howard, Michelle Forbes, Michael Vartan

GENERAL HOSPITAL's Jackie Zeman savors memories of growing up in Bergen County, New Jersey
Zeman, who is best-known to soap opera fans as Bobbie Spencer on GH, grew up in Bergenfield. It was there that she and her two younger sisters, Lauren and Carol, developed their interests and lasting friendships. It was there that Zeman first felt inspired to follow the adventurous spirit she inherited from her father.

"I remember growing up and looking at my mom and my dad — my mom was the one who watched us while he went to work every day, but I remember thinking, 'He's having all the fun,' " said Zeman, 60.

Parker Posey On Grace of Monaco and Her AS THE WORLD TURNS Days
"I saw Colleen Zink, who played my aunt a few years ago -- I hadn't seen her for 15 years -- and she still looked the same. The actors on that show were fab. I wish I could go back and do more -- that would be a hoot."

NEWS ROUNDUP: Kraft Yanks GCB Cheese Ads! Code Name for Edie's DH Death: OJ; TERRA NOVA to Netflix?

Philadelphia Cream Cheese pulls ads from GCB
Kraft Philadelphia revealed to TMZ that the cream cheese company has decided to yank all of its advertisements from the "controversial" show. A rep for the company said, "Philadelphia has decided to pull its advertising from GCB ... We have received a few complaints from consumers and their opinions about our advertising are important to us." [EDITOR'S NOTE: Seriously?]

Nicollette Sheridan's character on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES was set to die, long before Marc Cherry struck her ... and the code name for her demise was OJ
Cherry testified today in the trial -- where Nicollette is suing Cherry and ABC for wrongful termination -- that the writers were playing with scenarios for killing her off months before the now-famous blowup. Cherry produced writers notes, which included the phrase, "Steven drinks OJ."

Netflix Eyes Cancelled Drama TERRA NOVA
Netflix is already bringing back one cancelled 20th Century Fox TV series, the Emmy-winning ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT. Now the video streaming giant is taking a look at another, drama TERRA NOVA.

Is Amazon getting into original TV?
Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube are pouring resources into original content. Now, Amazon may be, too.

UK version of SKINS axed by Channel 4
The seventh and final season will be broadcast in early 2013, with Channel 4 promising "a celebration of this truly iconic series".

ALCATRAZ producers rush to save stroke victim
Several producers behind the show “Alcatraz” rushed to help save a stroke victim’s life today in San Fran -- but sources tell TMZ, the rescue effort wouldn’t have been possible ... if not for a poorly parked car.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Ricky Martin on GLEE, GREY'S/PRACTICE Crossover, Psycho PLL

Ricky Martin Hits the GLEE Set
Lea Michele tweeted photos of Martin on the set Thursday.

GREY'S ANATOMY and PRIVATE PRACTICE doing another crossover
Following the "If/Then" episode of GREY'S — in which Kate Walsh will appear in an alternate reality that sees Ellis Grey (Kate Burton) alive and Addison and Derek (Patrick Dempsey) still married — Caterina Scorsone's Amelia will head to Seattle Grace for an episode slated for mid-February. Details are scarce, but both Derek and Lexie (Chyler Leigh) will also appear in the Private Practice hour of the crossover.

CW buys Canadian series L.A. COMPLEX
The network is in final negotiations to buy the 6 already produced episodes of the series, which premieres on specialty channel MuchMusic next week and will later air on sibling broadcaster CTV. It may also pick up 7 more for a 13-episode run.

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: 'Psycho' coming to Rosewood
"There is a shower scene, I'll tell you that," says Marlene King about the season finale. "At a creepy motel."

Bobby Flay and Giada DeLaurentiis to host new daytime food show?
“You have to have a compelling reason to make people come to the TV set now,” says Gordon Elliott, the former TV personality who has moved behind the cameras and now produces the new, surprisingly successful ABC lifestyle show THE CHEW.

“The challenge now is to put on something useful,” he says.

The New Queen of Mean: Madeleine Stowe of REVENGE
REVENGE supposed to be based on The Count of Monte Cristo, but come on – this is hardcore pulp glitz and proud of it. Even Victoria Grayson's name is a clever DALLAS reference. (Victoria Principal's Pam had an epic affair with mustachioed stud Mark Grayson, and don't think for a minute that's a coincidence.)

CW orders CULT from GOSSIP GIRL and FARSCAPE creators
The mystery project revolves around a blogger who investigates if rabid fans are re-creating murder scenes shown on a cult TV show.

VIDEO: Watch trailer for Season 6 of UK's SKINS

NEWS: Watching soap operas in Kabul, Katie Couric, Faith Ford

Watching soap operas in Kabul
If you truly want to understand what a nation is thinking, look at what it’s watching on TV. An especially clear example has emerged in Afghanistan, where broadcast television was banned after the Taliban took power in 1996. Since the regime fell in 2001, however, television has flourished.

Wazhmah Osman, an Afghan native who came to the United States when she was 10, wrote a chapter about Indian and Iranian soap operas on Afghan TV, titled ”Trashy Tastes and Permeable Borders,” that was just published in a new book, ”Soap Operas and Telenovelas in the Digital Age.”

Katie Couric: Challenges To Come
Ed Martin writes: "Katie Couric certainly has her work cut out for her during the year ahead. Launching a new daytime talk show is a difficult enough task under the best of circumstances. To do so on a network at a time when its popular daytime schedule is literally being torn asunder and pieced back together seems like an almost insurmountable challenge."

NEWS: All-Time Low Ratings for GH, MTV Cancels SKINS, Colfer Book Deal

Daytime Soap Opera Ratings: Week of May 30-June 3, 2011
GENERAL HOSPITAL reached a new all-time low in total viewers with 2.252 for the week. The show also tied its all-time low in the Women 18-49 demo with a 1.7 rating. ONE LIFE TO LIVE is the only daytime soap that has increased its total viewership year over year.

MTV cancels SKINS
“SKINS is a global television phenomenon that, unfortunately, didn’t connect with a US audience as much as we had hoped,” said MTV in a statement. “We admire the work that the series’ creator Bryan Elsley did in adapting the show for MTV, and appreciate the core audience that embraced it.”

NEWS: Morrison/Paltrow Duet, Elvis Martinez, PLL Ratings Up

Maine island of mysteries featured in Web episodes of the new RAGGED ISLE
Barry and Karen [Dodd] plan to film a second season this summer, to be released at the end of 2011. A third season isn’t out of the question, either. Last week, RAGGED ISLE was chosen as the Indie Soap of the Week by WeLoveSoaps.com. The first season has to play itself out, however, and the pair still have some finishing touches to put on the remaining eight episodes.

Matthew Morrison and Gwyneth Paltrow to duet on his upcoming album
The pair will be covering a tune very familiar to Morrison and his GLEE fans: the classic “Over the Rainbow.”

NEWS: Chandler Massey, Tyler Christopher, Maxwell Caufield, Connie Britton

Peachtree Corners has a Rising TV Star to Claim as its Own - Chandler Massey
"It's great being home," he said of his return to promote the DAYS book in Atlanta on March 21. "The show is on hiatus this week so I plan on hanging out with my family and play a little Ultimate Frisbee with friends." His plans also included returning to his alma mater over the weekend to catch the production of "Noises Off," a play presented by the high school's drama department.

Tyler Christopher leaving GENERAL HOSPITAL
Christopher (Nikolas) has been let go by GENERAL HOSPITAL. The actor himself tells In Depth that he was notified on Friday, March 18, that he would be written out of the soap. "Yes, it's true," he shares.

NEWS: Michael Fairman, Sally Kellerman, Darren Criss, Ryan Reynolds

Marcy Rylan to guest on $#*! MY DAD SAYS on Feb. 10
"Lock and Load" - With a burglar on the loose in their neighborhood, Ed wants to use his prized gun for protection, but Rosemary shoots down the idea. Also, Vince and Bonnie look for some extra help during their trip to a fertility clinic, on $*#! MY DAD SAYS, Thursday, Feb. 10 (8:31-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Jean Smart returns as Ed's neighbor, Rosemary Pernworth. Guest stars also include television producer Laura Kightlinger as Nancy, a fertility clinic nurse, and Marcy Rylan (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) as Rebecca, an old acquaintance of Henry's.

Y&R's Michael Fairman shares his experiences with the Church of Scientology
"My friendship with those of you who have spoken with me this past week, and others whom I have known and cared about over the years, is not based on the policies or dictates of the Church; and if my change of heart regarding my membership in it causes us to separate, so be it. That makes me very sad. Sad because it is dictated that you take what I have done as a personal attack and
betrayal. I can only say, and I have looked at this very seriously and as truthfully as I am able, that were the situation reversed, I would remain true to you — because to me, that is the profound meaning of friendship."

NEWS: HALLELUJAH, Larry Bryggman, James Franco, Ed Westwick

ABC Orders Marc Cherry's HALLELUJAH Pilot
BC programming chief Paul Lee received Cherry's script over the weekend and quickly moved with a pilot order.

James Franco Says He Will Join Nicole Kidman for Broadway Revival of "Sweet Bird of Youth"
Kidman will portray Princess Kosmonopolis with Franco as Chance Wayne.

Larry Bryggman, David Lansbury, et al. Set for "Off the King's Road" Reading
Bryggman and Lansbury will headline a staged reading of Neil Koenigsberg's new play, "Off the King's Road," to be presented at the Westside Theatre on Thursday, February 3 at 2pm. Bob Jaffe will direct.

NEWS: Lucy Lawless, CW Zombies, Lea Michele, SKINS

Zombies Heading to The CW
The CW is developing a script for the hour-long drama AWAKENING, about two sisters who face off against one another just as a zombie uprising begins.

Lucy Lawless joins NO ORDINARY FAMILY
ABC’s freshman sci-fi comedy has tapped Lawless to join the cast for at least five episodes.

NEWS: Larry Hagman, Melissa Claire Egan, Brittany Underwood, Catch VD

Larry Hagman Confirmed for TNT's New DALLAS
"I haven't signed any contract but I gave them my commitment verbally," says the star, who'll turn 80 this year. "I just told them I'd do it and my word's good!"

SKINS creator responds to criticisms
"SKINS is a very simple and in fact rather old fashioned television series. It's about the lives and loves of teenagers, how they get through high school, how they deal with their friends, and also how they circumnavigate some of the complications of sex, relationships, educations, parents, drugs and alcohol. The show is written from the perspective of teenagers, reflects their world view, and this has caused a degree of controversy both in the UK and the USA."

Julianne Moore to Receive Harvard's Hasty Pudding Award
The actress will be roasted by the Hasty Pudding Theatricals -- the nation's oldest undergradaute drama troupe -- on January 27.

NEWS: SKINS vs PTC, Spencer Grammer, David Essex, Eric Martsolf

H&R Blocks Out MTV's SKINS
A source familiar with the company's ad strategy confirmed that the company had placed some ads in the second airing of the premiere episode of the show, but was no longer doing so, saying the issue was the show's content.

PTC Says GM Won't Buy Spots in SKINS
A day after Taco Bell pulled its ads from skins, which depicts the drug and sex habits of teens, GM responded to concerns from a Parents Television Council member about ads for the Chevy Volt that appears on the show. The group is now targeting other companies that advertised on the first episode of Skins. Those include: Schick Hydro, L'Oreal, Subway, Foot Locker, Orbit chewing gum and Extra chewing gum.

NEWS: SKINS, Comcast, Regis, LUX, Bloom, Hennig & JKJ

More DAYS Exits: Shelley Hennig & Jay Kenneth Johnson
Shelley Hennig (Stephanie) and Jay Kenneth Johnson (Philip) have both decided to leave the show. "It just feels right," says Hennig of why she's taking off after four years. "I have been preparing for this for awhile, so I have said my mental good-byes. I will miss the faces I see here every day, but everybody has been really encouraging and has embraced my decision.... I feel like I'm going out with a bang after last week's air shows and I feel great about it creatively and I am thankful to the writers for giving me that. I am thankful for this role that DAYS has given me and will miss playing this character. I am forever thankful for the fans and this wonderful gift that was given to me. It's been a lot of fun to play and I wouldn't change anything." Hennig's last tape date is February 2.

As for Johnson, "It feels perfect," he says. "The story ended and there's a lot of stuff going on out there. I thought about it a lot; it just felt like the right time. I want to thank the fans for continuing to watch and following me from my first stint to the other shows I've done and back to here. I hope they keep an eye on me in the future."

SKINS premiere on MTV attracts 3.3 million
Insiders had their fingers crossed for anything above 3 million, so this number comes as a relief.

PREVIEW: SKINS Debuts on MTV Tonight

MTV's highly anticipated version of the U.K. hit soap SKINS debuts tonight at 10 p.m. ET. Watch the trailer below. Will you be checking out the show?

New Trailer for MTV's SKINS

MTV's version of the UK's SKINS debuts on January 17, 2011. Check out the latest trailer below.

Another SKINS Trailer, AfterEllen Calls Lesbian-er

AfterEllen.com says of the second trailer for MTV's version of SKINS: "Yes, there are some similarities between the US and UK versions. Yes, there are stricter Standards and Practices in on this side of the pond. Yes, I miss Naomily too. But when a guy who has proven his commitment to characters — gay and lesbian ones, especially — introduces something to American TV and says, 'Please give it a chance,' you can bet your Curly Wurly bar I'm going to give it a go."

Watch the new trailer below.

TRAILER: MTV's New Soap, Remake of British SKINS

This winter, MTV will debut perhaps its most eagerly anticipated new series, SKINS, an adaptation of the hit British series. Premiering January 2011, SKINS is a realistic look at life as a teenager and its hardships (think sex, drugs, eating disorders, parent issues). MTV enlisted the original series’ father-and-son creators, Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain, to bring this provocative and controversial series to U.S. audiences.

Watch the first trailer below.

NEWS: SKINS, Tamblyn, Colodny, White, deVry, Hagman

MTV taps three young writers for SKINS
After reading 400 writing samples from young scribes, the network has tapped Mark Hammer, Matt Pelfrey and Monica Padrick to join the show's staff. Part of the "Skins" style is using newbie writers and inexperienced actors to capture a fresh teen sensibility. Other writers for the show are forthcoming.

Larry Hagman stars in ad campaign encouraging solar technology
At the Intersolar trade show in San Francisco, the 78-year-old unveiled a new ad campaign for SolarWorld called "Shine, baby, shine" which not only encourages solar energy but also promotes the value of U.S. production of said energy.

Amber Tamblyn joins HOUSE
Tamblyn has just signed on to appear on the upcoming season of the Fox series. She won’t be a regular but she will join the Princeton Plainsboro team for a multi-episode arc. But who knows, it could turn into something a little more permanent.