Skins is a
teen drama that follows a group of
teenagers in
Bristol,
South West England through the two years of
sixth form. The controversial plotline explores issues including
homosexuality,
narcissism,
dysfunctional families,
absent parents,
personality disorders,
post traumatic stress,
substance abuse,
anorexia,
underage sex,
teenage pregnancy,
sexual abuse,
autism, and
death.
The show was created by father and son television writers
Bryan Elsley and
Jamie Brittain for
Company Pictures,
and premiered on
E4 on 25 January 2007.
The first two series featured an
ensemble cast led by
Nicholas Hoult's character
Tony Stonem. This cast was entirely replaced for the third series. The show is notable for its casting of amateur actors and young writers. Series 4, which continues with the second generation of characters, started filming in July 2009 and is due to premiere 28 January 2010.
Although the show currently airs in the
US on
BBC America,
MTV is planning to adapt an American version of
Skins.
