It has been confirmed by Channel 4 that the current generation of ‘Skins’ will be its last. However it will not be going quietly. According to reports a further three, two hour long, final farewell episodes are planned for next year. This news probably does not come as surprise to those who have followed the series. The decline in viewing figures to the current season will have contributed the ‘Skins’ bosses deciding to call it a day.
A spokesperson for Channel 4 said: “Skins is a brilliant show which has defined a generation and will go down as a truly iconic, game-changing piece of television but after seven series it is time for E4 to make way for the next generation of the bold, the new and the innovative.”
The controversial drama features ‘taboo’ topics along the lines of sex, drugs and youth culture whilst not being afraid to tackle bigger issues. As the show has progressed it has struggled to keep its audience levels high. The series starting in 2007 gained cult status relatively quickly and consequently developed brilliant actors, many of which have made it to the heights of the entertainment stardom.
Infamous for his role in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, Dev Patel (Anwar Kharral) is suspected to be in the line up for the first special episode. There will also be a huge outcry from the fans for Nicholas Hoult, who played Tony Stonem in the first generation and second generation star Kaya Scodelario (Effy Stonem), to make a return. Current Skins stars Dakota Blue Richards (Franky Fitzgerald) and Sebastian De Souza (Matty Levan) have been linked to the third special episode.
I have to confess disbanding Skins came as welcome news to me. I have found the current generation to be unchallenging, predictable and consisting, at times, of ridged acting. Compare this to the earlier generations who had incredible actors intelligently portraying their characters. In seasons past Skins has been at the forefront of pioneering content and memorable moments. On screen chemistry is something that has been in short supply this series. Consequently it has changed the story dynamics from intelligent viewing to a group of teenagers glorifying drugs, highlighting immaturity in relationships and enforcing stereotypes. I could reminisce about 6th form and “enjoy” the musings of the pupils, if I wanted that kind of amusement. Even back then it wasn’t very entertaining and now it’s less engaging when the people involved are characters that been difficult to connect with.
In 2010 there were rumours of a Skins Movie. Maybe it has been decided that these feature length episodes are to be its substitute. In my opinion this could be a great opportunity for the writers to redeem their former glorious content and remind Skins followers of its brilliant past achievements rather than the slightly bitter taste of its current work.
Regardless of opinion on the program, Skins has been a groundbreaking television drama and deserves a great deal of accolade for that. Reaching six series is a mean feat for any scripted drama and it is the humble origins for many brilliant rising stars. Although I won’t be sadden about the hole it leaves in the television schedule, I appreciate and am grateful that for the content that once filled it.
Source – The Guardian
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5 Comments
Well, yeah, this doesn’t come as any great surprise to me. I’ve been paying attention to the ratings and wondered if this series was going to be the last. Much as I enjoy the show, it’s probably for the best if they go out now while it’s still something worth watching.
My sentiments exactly! No point prolonging the enviable and they might as well go out on a high.
Noooooooooo!! But who will teach the kids of today to be vapid, shallow and pointless?! Good riddance.
You say that but seasons 1 and 2 dealt with some really interesting stuff with great content. They had twists, Effy episodes in 1 and 2 were brilliant. Tony had awesome moments along the same lines. It also had funny characters. Tony, Sid, Chris were all predominantly there to make the audience laugh. Something that was lacking from generation 2 with only Panda about to make us laugh and its non existent in 3 not through lack of trying but lack of talent. It’s like it began to take itself to seriously. This most recent generation, it doesn’t really compare to the original one. The only character well acted and interesting enough to be a “Skins” character is Frankie, but even her last dedicated episode seemed a little too stale. I think they started to try and appease younger audiences by over emphasising the ‘taboo’, when really they could have kept a much wider audience if they kept the content to the same spec as generation 1.
as i live in the USA, i don’t get channel e4 (and the MTV version was crap… couldn’t even finish the first episode), i have to rely on hulu and, regrettably, torrents to watch this show. i fell in love with Pandora despite her flaws and really felt Effie mature… at least until season 3 started and the writers, for some unknown, stupid reason, caused a backslide in her personality. Sid was a moron, but i really related to him. while this show may have run its course (i have yet to see series 6 and the 2hr trilogy), at least there’s Misfits to fill the gap (though i have no idea where that’s going in series 4 with only 2 original cast members).