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Skins
Cast for Series 1 & 2
Genre	Dramedy
Created by	Jamie Brittain Bryan Elsley[1]
Starring	Nicholas Hoult Mike Bailey Mitch Hewer Joe Dempsie April Pearson Hannah Murray Larissa Wilson Dev Patel [1]
Theme music composer	Fat Segal
Opening theme	Fat Segal
Ending theme	V/A
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Language(s)	English
No. of series	2
No. of episodes	19 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Bryan Elsley George Faber Charles Pattinson[1]
Producer(s)	Chris Clough[1]
Location(s)	Bristol
Camera setup	Sony HDW-750P
Running time	47 minutes approx
Broadcast
Original channel	E4 (Digital airings), Channel 4 (Terrestrial airings air 3 days after the digital)
Picture format	720p HDTV
Audio format	Surround sound
Original run	25 January 2007 – present
External links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

Skins is a BAFTA-winning British comedic teen drama from Company Pictures which premièred on E4 on January 25, 2007. Skins is one of E4’s flagship programmes in their attempt to start showing more British content on their channels.^[2] Channel 4 reran the first series beginning 21 August 2007. A second series of ten episodes began airing on E4 on February 11, 2008 and Channel 4 on February 14, 2008.^[3]

The complete first series was released on DVD on 24 September 2007.^[4] Much of the popular music used in the original broadcasts is not found in the DVD episodes,^[5] although the original music is available in the series soundtrack.^[6] The second season was released on DVD on 5 May 2008,^[7] once more with much of the original music replaced.

Production

The writing team includes the Dawson brothers, Steve, Andrew and Tim (Balls of Steel, Dirty Tricks), Jack Thorne (Shameless), Josie Long and Ben Schiffer.^[8] They also have guest writers for certain episodes, such as Simon Amstell (Popworld, Never Mind The Buzzcocks). Skins is filmed in Bristol; the school scenes are all filmed at John Cabot Academy. Moreover, some other places from Bristol are shown during the series opening credits (Bristol Cathedral on series 1 and Pur Down BT Tower on series 2). A few scenes from Series 1 and 2 were shot at College Green. Most of Series 2 Episode 4 scenes were shot at Gower Peninsula and Series 2 Episode 6 was shot at The University of Exeter from 18 September 2007 to 20 September 2007. A few scenes from Series 2 Episode 9 were shot in New York City in December 2007. Many of the other locations used during filming, such as the cafe and diner, are real locations in Bristol. Skins was shot entirely in High Definition with Sony HDW-750P cameras and edited using Apple Final Cut Pro, Autodesk Lustre and Autodesk Smoke at BBC Post Production, Bristol. The 3rd series is currently being filmed since 23 July 2008.

Plot

Main article: List of Skins episodes

Skins revolves around the lives of a group of 16–19 year-old friends who live in Bristol. The Dawson Bros claim the series represents the everyday lives of adolescents. These characters attend the fictional Roundview Sixth Form College in Bristol. Each episode has a self-contained theme and focuses on each different character, however there are several story arcs that span different episodes. Accompanying the episode title at the beginning of each episode is a short few second montage of that episode’s central character. The show’s co-creator Bryan Elsley said that as series 2 ends with the cast going off to university, it will not be possible to keep on following them in the future, the show will operate in two year arcs with new casts.

First generation

The first generation of Skins comprises series 1 and 2. This generation’s main characters include: a popular, but manipulative boy (Tony), his mysterious and powerful sister (Effy), a Muslim boy (Anwar), an openly gay boy (Maxxie), an overbearing and talented clarinet player (Jal), a party animal with family problems (Chris), a pushover who is in love with his best friend’s girlfriend (Sid), a girl who is worried her boyfriend is only using her (Michelle), a mentally unstable girl with an eating disorder (Cassie) and a girl who has a strong infatuation with her gay neighbour (Sketch).

Series 1

Series 1 introduces (most) of the first cycle’s main characters, Episode One, (Tony) is more of an ensemble piece, which introduces the characters and the format. Episodes 2 (Cassie), 3 (Jal), 4 (Chris), 5 (Sid) and 7 (Michelle) focus on specific characters, whereas Episodes 6 (Maxxie and Anwar) and 9 The Series Finale focus on multiple characters whose stories are interlinked. Each episode starts with the eyes of the main character (this is not carried through to series 2). Episode eight “Effy” focuses less on its namesake, and more on the central characters’ search for her and is an ensemble piece like the pilot. The series finishes with the main cast singing Wild World.

Series 2

The second series began on 11 February 2008,^[9] however it was made available in four instalments to MySpace users prior to airing. This series’ guest stars included Bill Bailey, Harry Enfield, Shane Richie, Sean Pertwee, Geoffrey Hughes, Mark Heap, John Thomson, Fiona Allen, Peter Capaldi, Josie Lawrence, Arabella Weir, Josie Long, Mark Monero, Kevin Eldon and Jan Ravens. The series is set six months after the conclusion of the first. Tony is alive after being hit by a bus, but he is now severely impaired. The first episode focused on Maxxie and Tony and features comedian Bill Bailey as Maxxie’s father. In Episode 2 Shane Richie starred as a college drama lecturer named Bruce. The second episode also introduced a new character known as Sketch, who has been stalking Maxxie. In Episode 3 the series featured its first death, with Sid’s father being unexpectedly killed off. Episode 4 was set on a camping trip to Wales where Sid and Michelle end up sleeping together (leading to a short lived relationship). Also Cassie returns from Scotland. In Episode 5 Jal finds out she is pregnant with Chris’s baby. Episode 6 sees Tony visit the University of Exeter where he meets a strange, (possibly imaginary) girl. Episode 7 resolves many of the teens’ relationship problems, as Sid reconciles with Cassie, Tony with Michelle. Episode 8 was written by Daniel Kaluuya (who plays “Posh” Kenneth) in this episode Jal continued to do battle with her conscience over her pregnancy, while Chris was rushed to hospital with a blood clot in his brain. In Episode 9, Chris has discharged himself from hospital and seems well. Cassie attends her exams, but later Chris has another brain haemorrhage and dies in Cassie’s arms. Cassie simply packs her bags and runs, ending up in New York. In Episode 10 Chris’s father turns up at Sid’s house and explains how he does not want any of Chris’ friends at his funeral. Upon hearing this Sid and Tony decide to steal Chris’s coffin, but Jal finds out and forces them to return it before the funeral. In the same episode during the evening the central characters sit around a campfire and read out each others’ results. Everyone gets the grades they need apart from Anwar who spontaneously heads off to London with Maxxie and his boyfriend, James, leaving Sketch behind in tears. Tony buys Sid a ticket to New York without him knowing and he leaves to go and find Cassie. Finally Tony and Michelle talk things through and decide they were ‘better than’ a good couple. They intended to leave for Cardiff University and University of York respectively. The last scenes are of Sid looking for Cassie in New York, passing by the cafe she is working in, followed by a shot of Effy under Tony’s bed cover where she smiles and raises her eyebrows. By looking directly at the camera, she is once again breaking the infamous fourth wall. This shot is also the same shot used as the opening shot of the pilot with Tony.

Second generation

There were open auditions held in Bristol (where the show is set), which attracted 1,500 16 to 18 year-olds and a further 2 days of auditions were held in London. Jamie Brittain has said that the new cast will be quite different from the original cast, but people may see some similarities.

Series 3

It was announced in 2008 that all of the original cast (except Kaya Scodelario) will be replaced with an all new cast for series 3.

Bryan Elsey said: “There are risks associated with dumping a cast, but we just did it. There was some disquiet at the channel, but then they told us just to go with it.

“It’s exciting - we never stand still and we can tell our stories in a new way.”

Speaking at Broadcast’s television drama conference, he also confirmed the show would stick to its pattern of introducing college-age characters, moving them on in the next series, then letting them go.

“The first year is about getting to know the kids, and the second gives us the advantage of being able to explore their psyches a little more,” said Elsey.

The show will also continue to use a team of up to 20 writers, including newcomers.

Series 3 is expected to begin airing in early 2009 with the new characters. Auditions took place at parties occurring across the UK. In addition, the team’s producers have said that while series three will focus on a new line-up, some old faces may make occasional appearances.^[10] Katrina Rafferty has been re-cast in the show and will play Trudy Da’more, a teacher who is far too friendly with the kids as she is close in age to them.^{[citation needed]} Katrina herself announced this on May 31 on T4.^{[citation needed]} Mark Stothers has been announced to play Jack Bright on the new show. He is new to the town and runs a chip van near the school, he sells more than chips out of his van however. Scott Mills said on Chris Moyle’s Radio 1 show on the July 8, 2008 that he would be auditioning for the role of a television presenter on Skins.

Cast

Main article: List of Skins characters

Series 1 and 2 (2007-2008)

Series 3

Other cast

As well as the regular cast, there are several important recurring characters. Daniel Kaluuya plays “Posh” Kenneth, who goes to the same college as the main cast. Georgina Moffat portrays Tony Stonem’s mistress, Abigail Stock, a posh school girl with psychotic tendencies. Siwan Morris plays Angie, a psychology teacher who begins a relationship with Chris. British comedian and co-writer Josie Long appears as the college’s careers counselor.

The central cast’s parents are recurring characters in the series, and are often played by well-known British actors credited in a guest starring role. These include Harry Enfield and Nina Wadia, both known as actors and comedians, whilst Danny Dyer is a well-known British film actor. Harry Enfield portrays Tony and Effy’s father, Jim Stonem, with Morwenna Banks playing his wife Anthea Stonem. Peter Capaldi and Josie Lawrence acts as Sid’s parents, Mark and Liz Jenkins. Kevin Eldon portrays Manfred, who Liz has an affair with. Neil Morrissey and Naomi Allisstone play Marcus and Margeritte, Cassie’s parents. Arabella Weir acts as Michelle’s mother, Anna Richardson. Danny Dyer portrays Michelle’s step father Malcolm, until his relationship ends with Anna. Mark Monero as acts as musician, Ronnie Fazer, who is Jal’s father. Josette Simon plays Jal’s estranged mother, Elaine in the second series. Mark Heap portrays Graham Miles, Chris’ father, and Sarah Lancashire portrays Chris’ stepmother, Mary. Inder Manocha plays Istiak Kharral, Anwar’s father, with Nina Wadia playing Anwar’s mother. Heidi Monsen acts as Dr. Victoria Stock, Abigail and Josh’s mother. In the second series, Maxxie‘s parents are introduced and played by Bill Bailey and Fiona Allen as Walter and Jackie Oliver.

Online presence

Unseen Skins

Main article: List of Unseen Skins episodes

Accompanying each episode of the program was an online mini-episode, released after first broadcast. The storyline of this mini-episode interweaves with the main episode and shows parts of the story that may not have been elaborated upon before. The mini-episodes for the final two episodes have not been released online and are only available on the series’ DVD.^[12]

A second series of Unseen Skins has been released on the official Skins website.

Secret Party

E4 launched a “Secret Party” and invited fans to get involved. This was the second time the show has offered UGC competitions to encourage the involvement of creative and talented fans. The competitions involved the chance to design a projection for the party, to interview the cast or to take official photographs at the event. A competition was also launched on MySpace to win tickets for the event, that would give fans a chance to be spotted by members of the casting team who would be on the lookout for extras at the event. The Oxford band Foals are featured on the episode performing the song “Hummer” at the party.

The Lost Weeks

During January 2008, E4 began publishing webisodes (web episodes) to bridge the gap between Series 1 and 2. The few minute episodes are designed to show various developments of the characters in order to enhance the understanding of the events that have taken place between the first and second series. As of 4 February 2008, all episodes have been released on the website.

Skins Christmas Special

Not much is mentioned in this feature (7.22) about Tony so it is thought he is still in hospital. It opens with the gang in a pub having a talk about the turkey they’re going to have. Chris and Anwar do not want to celebrate Christmas so decide to go off on their own. It mainly follows them throughout, until they join the others. Kenneth and Maxxie do the infamous “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” dance. Anwar also proceeds to ‘tongue’, ‘chew’ and ‘fondle’ the turkey.

Skinscast

E4 allows fans to download a podcast after each E4 show, it is available from the E4 website and can be subscribed on itunes. It features inside gossip and interviews with the cast on their specific episodes. It is hosted by Daniel Kaluuya (aka Posh Kenneth) and often includes a lot of humour and banter. Fans are also given the chance to ask questions and win prizes.

Ratings and critical reception

The pilot episode of Skins averaged 1.5 million viewers.^[13] The first series received mixed, although generally positive reviews, with some critics complaining that the series depicts teenagers unrealistically and stereotypically.^[14] Others criticised the excessive promoting of the show (specifically, in the U.K.) and having relatively mediocre writing in comparison to other similarly themed shows. Actor Nicholas Hoult defended criticism of the extreme storylines, saying they would not reflect “everyone’s teenage life”, adding “It is maybe heightened for entertainment but all of it is believable.”^[15]

Writer and producer Marieke Hardy was extremely admiring of the show, and particularly enjoyed the fact that the show was “beautiful and sad and poignant and perfectly hurtful”, while also managing to give impression of being drama that is “edgy, funny and rude”. However, she did state that she was unsure whether the show was meant for teenagers or not.^[16]

Comedian and writer Stewart Lee has remarked during an interview on the BBC4 programme Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe that he feels lucky for having been a teenager watching TV for teenagers in the 1970s and not the 2000s as “there was something really comforting for nerds and weirdos about programmes like Children of the Stones and The Changes.” Such programmes, “made you feel less alone, and that’s a really great thing that art can do.” He said that watching Skins as a teenager today would make him feel lonelier.^[17] Brooker himself gave the programme a positive review in his Guardian column “Screen Burn”.^[18]

Gordon Farrer writing in Melbourne’s The Age called it a “refreshing, entertaining and worthy series” and wrote it was “compulsory viewing for parents of teenagers as much as for teens.”^[19]

The ratings for the second series which launched on E4 on 11 February 2008 peaked at 884,000 viewers (a further 160,000 watched it an hour later on E4+1) which gave it 5.9% audience share and taking 60% of the 16-24 demographic, however this was still more than 500,000 viewers down on its series one premiere.^[20] 809,300 tuned in to the second episode, which aired one week later in the 10 p.m. slot. The series finale attracted an audience of 740,000 on E4, equating to a 4.65% share of the audience.^[21]

Skins won the Best Drama prize at the 2008 Rose d’Or ceremony.^[22]

Cultural influence

The programme has given rise to the term ’skins party’, referring to a debauched night of heavy drinking and recreational drug use.^[23]

During the 2007 Easter holiday a girl in County Durham threw a house party; it was advertised on her MySpace as a “Skins Unofficial Party,” referring to the party in the first episode, with the subtitle “Let’s trash the average family-sized house disco party”. 200 people turned up, causing over £20,000 of seemingly deliberate damage and breaking into the house. She alleges that her account was hacked and someone else placed the ad.^[24][25]

Club nights marketed as ‘Skins Secret Parties’ have also taken shape in Leicester.^[26] Following this, a series of parties were run by Company Pictures in spring 2008.^[27]

DVD releases

The Complete First Series
Set details				Special features
9 episodes English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround) Subtitles: English				9 Unseen Skins episodes - Ancillary storylines for every episode Video diaries Gossip Video - “Standing in the Way of Control“ Director’s Cut Skins trailer Skins broadcast trailers
Release dates
United Kingdom  Ireland	Australia	New Zealand	France
24 September 2007	20 February 2008	27 February 2008	25 March 2008
Rated 18	Rated R18+	Rated R16[28]	Rated PG -12[29]

The Complete Second Series
Set details		Special features
10 episodes English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround) Subtitles: English		Behind the scenes including interviews with cast & crew (exclusive to DVD) Skins Secret Party and behind the scenes of the secret party 5 bonus Skins stories (Cassandra, Christmas with Skins, Audition Day, Tony & Sid, Maxxie’s Love Life) Broadcast trailer Back stage tour Daniel’s Story – writer, Daniel Kaluuya’s story of working on Skins (exclusive to DVD) Skins in NYC (exclusive to DVD) Maxxie’s Dance – behind the scenes (exclusive to DVD)
Release dates
United Kingdom  Ireland	Australia	New Zealand
May 5, 2008[30]	20 August, 2008[31]	18 September, 2008[32]
	Rated MA15+	Rated R16

International

See also

• The Inbetweeners
• Nearly Famous
• The O.C.
• Gossip Girl

References

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Skins (TV series)

• E4’s official Skins website
• Skins community run by Company Pictures
• Skins at MySpace
• Skins at Bebo
• Skins at the Internet Movie Database
• “Skins” at Baltic Film Services

Listings of music played in the show:

• Season 1
• Season 2