Violence is out of control in TV drama, according to Times of London writer Libby Purves.

But how did this change come about, and is it a result of the move away from traditional linear television, where everything was closely regulated?

BBC TV critic Scott Bryan told Newstalk Breakfast that, with online streaming, services no longer have to be so worried about making content that will appeal to all viewers.

“I would say that a lot of streaming services are not regulated in the same way that in domestic TV channels are,” he said.

“However, I think in recent years they’ve actually sort of realised it is good for us to be having similar broadcast standards than TV.

"So, you see certificates or maybe disclaimers ahead of episodes where there’s going to be some violence.

“But I think what’s happened in the last sort of few years is two things, I think what you’ve had is streamers who are maybe competing and have an endless amount of money to make things are realistic as possible.”

January 18 2020 - Calgary Alberta Canada - Ipad tablet with icons for various media streaming services

Mr Bryan gave the examples of Netflix’s 'Squid Game' series and Amazon’s 'The Boys' as shows that “feel and look quite lifelike”.

“Also, at the same time you’ve seen the end of sort of family traditional viewing,” he said.

“You are still having those sort of crowd pleasers that are suitable for all generations, but actually you’re now seeing a greater fragmentation.

“So, it means that there’s been a rise of shows that are only suitable for adults.

“That means that, I think, for some programme makes they felt, ‘Oh, we can actually go there’.”

Violence as a theme

According to Mr Bryan, many of these shows use violence to depict just how far those “at the bottom of society” are willing to go to survive.

“Now, I guess there are some people who might not really take that sort of theme on board who might see it as face value and actually would enjoy the gore from it,” he said.

“I would say that the majority of viewers who see those sort of shows would be left uncomfortable by those themes and would sort of take some sort of satisfaction in the darkness.”

However, Mr Bryan said this does not necessarily mean that viewers are “revelling in the violence”.

Main image: A television with video streaming services and a remote control. Picture by: Michael Zech / Alamy Stock Photo