Nearly weep before each period drama (4,5)

I believe the answer is:

soap opera

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'drama' is the definition.
(type of TV drama)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for soap opera that I've seen before include "Eg, Coronation Street" , "that might involve The Woolpack?" , "Fair City or Coronation Street, say" , "TV or radio series of everyday events" , ""Coronation Street", for example" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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