What is an Aside?

An Aside is a storytelling device where a character breaks away from the storyline to engage in self-dialogue or to communicate directly to the audience. This usually goes unoticed by the other characters within the scene.

This device can be seen in TV, film and theatre. Whilst an aside is similar to a soliloquy, it’s usually shorter in length; usually a line or two. These are seen within Shakespeare and more modern examples such as Fleabag, The Office and Malcolm in the Middle.