Dubplate Drama – Watch Grime TV

Dubplate Drama is a cult interactive TV series airing in the UK. Viewers are presented with a new choice each week that decides how the story will continue. It’s “Choose Your Own Adventure” for television. It started off as 15 minute episodes for handies (cellphones) but was so popular that they were able to get more sponsorship and bring it to the tellie. The drama returns to screens in 2007 with twelve brand new 30 minute episodes. Continuing the story of aspiring female MC Dionne (played by MC Shystie and somewhat based on her real-life experiences), Duplate Drama series 2 features the cream of the UK urban scene and is broadcast in the UK on Channel 4, E4, MTV one, MTV Base and MySpace.

Dubplate Drama Season 1

SEASON 1 IS AVAILABLE ON DVD NOW.
Season 1 was only available on cellies so all we have online is these three minute versions that sum up the 15 minute episode. If you haven’t watched any of the series yet, you should start with these. Otherwise, jump down to Season 2…

Season 1 Synopsis

Shystie posted these summaries of each episode in Season 1:

Episode 1

Dionne is an ambitious young rapper, desperate to make it big in the MC world. Her first step is to get her recording pressed into a dubplate, which she attempts to do with the assistance of her fairly useless boyfriend, Melvin.

Dionne goes to a pirate radio station armed with her CD and asks for her material to be played. The MCs and station manager are hesitant at her request so she grabs the microphone and performs anyway. Some are impressed by her talent while others are offended that she took over on their territory without permission. She disappears onto the roof to get a signal on her phone and stumbles across a gang trying to sabotage the radio station.

They are all caught on the roof by station manager Prangers. He immediately suspects that Dionne was a decoy for the attempted destruction of his station. She escapes with the group, who are closely pursued by Prangers. A member of the gang, later introduced as Redhand, pulls out what looks like a gun and Prangers is forced to back away.

Dionne is then faced with the first of many dilemmas to come; she can either get into the car with the group who saved her, or risk her safety by fleeing into the night alone.

Viewers voted for her to get into the car.

Episode 2

The leader of the rival group introduces himself as ‘Redhand’ before revealing his real name as Wesley. Redhand immediately takes an interest in Dionne and is curious about her talent as an MC. He asks her to perform at both his studio and at a rave the following night. Dionne gladly takes the opportunity of being able to be heard.

She returns home to find her cousin Warren inside and in possession of a large amount of drugs. Dionne is furious and demands that he leave her flat at once. He pleads with her to let him stay, as he tells her if she kicks him out, the next time she will see him will be at his funeral. Dionne has to whether to kick him out or not.

Viewers voted for him to stay.

Episode 3

Dionne tells Warren he can stay for the one night then goes to the rave, ready for her performance. Redhand’s ex-girlfriend Susannah, who is also the mother of his child, turns up at the club. She confronts him about his neglectful attitude towards their child. He pushes her away and she is dragged out of the club in tears. Dionne finds out Redhand only went out with Susannah because her father was a lawyer who agreed to help him out with a case when they were together.

Warren unexpectedly arrives at the rave and gets involved in a fight. Dionne, distracted by her cousin’s antics, is offered to clash with fellow female MC Vyrus. She is undecided on whether to help her cousin or compete with Vyrus.

Viewers voted she take on the battle.

Episode 4

Dionne wins the battle and runs off to find Warren. They are both promptly kicked out of the club. We then meet Rudy who has always looked out for Redhand and is in the same gang. Rudy has a violent reputation and when he asks Redhand to steal expensive jewelry from rival gang member Chris, Redhand feels he has little choice. Rudy also wants Dionne to play a part in the robbery, his plan involves her accompanying Redhand to the pub where the robbery will take place. Rudy gives Redhand a gun.

Redhand tells Dionne they need to drive off somewhere but doesn’t tell her about the robbery. On their way out the police pull them over, causing Redhand to panic and try to force Dionne to conceal his gun in her purse. He admits that he has been in prison before but Dionne is unwilling to help him hide the weapon. Should she hide the gun and face incriminating herself, or leave Redhand to face the consequences?

Viewers voted she refuse to hide it.

Episode 5

When the police begin searching the pair, they are called away to another crime before they are able to find the gun. Redhand sees Chris emerging from the pub and steals his expensive silver chain from around his neck. He jumps back into the car with Dionne and drives off at speed. Dionne tells him to pull over, not wanting to be involved in his criminal activity or be caught between two warring gangs. Once she gets out of his car, he tries to explain why he had to do it. While he is doing so, a girl drug addict approaches him to ask for his help. It soon emerges that he knows the woman as he uses her name, Natasha, while trying to push her away. Dionne runs off, confused by the situation and upset by Redhand’s lack of loyalty.

Stuck in the middle of nowhere and concerned for her safety, she is left contemplating whether or not to call Rudy for help.

Viewers voted against her contacting Rudy.

Episode 6

Luckily Dionne’s boyfriend Melvin is driving past and takes her away. Meanwhile, Redhand is kidnapped by Prangers who throws him into the back of a van. He is next seen tied up on the roof of Pranger’s pirate radio station being interrogated by his rival. Redhand apologizes for tampering with his radio station and Prangers takes back the stolen chain. Prangers reveals that this is not the reason for his abduction but really because he failed to help out Natasha.

Rudy intercepts their fight and becomes the voice of reason, calming Prangers down.
Prangers leaves Redhand bound and stranded upon the roof and throws the stolen chain off the building. It manages to land on Melvin’s car below who is quick to put it on.

Melvin goes to pick Dionne up from the restaurant where she works. He is desperate to make their relationship work and keen to continue aiding her quest for musical stardom.

However, as they drive away, Chris has been watching them in a car around the corner alongside MC Vyrus. He prepares to pursue Dionne and Melvin, to seek revenge and to retrieve his chain.

BIG UP SHYSTIE!!

Dubplate Drama Season 2

All of the videos from season 2 have been deleted and new episodes have not been added. Season 2 is over and we’re waiting to see if there will be a season 3.

Dubplate Drama Links

Dubplate Drama tv website
Dubplate Drama my$pace

Feel free to discuss any of this in the comments below…