I've always been struck by the way some people turn their noses up at soap operas; decrying how 'inferior' they are to 'proper' drama series.
Yet, here in the UK, one thing I have noticed is that in soaps such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale the actors have clear and easily heard diction; yet in 'proper' drama I have to turn the volume up and listen really hard to understand what the actors are muttering.

I'm not sure the problem's exclusive to the UK. Seems the US ones do it, too--and not only are the characters muttering, but they talk really fast.

I do so agree about the diction in soaps, particularly Corrie.Many non Northerners have a problem getting what is said up there, but I have never heard of anyone with a problem in that one. Apart from that, the actual acting is SO good, I find. I recently watched the catastrophe(tram off the viaduct) episodes(well yes we are 2-3 years behind here) and the reactions and performances of all were so convincing. Great stuff.