Top Telly - Channel 4's TV series Skins

Skins revolves around the lives of a group of 16–19 year-old friends who live in Bristol and attend the fictional Roundview Sixth Form College. Each episode is self-contained and focuses on a particular character.

The BAFTA-winning British teen drama follows a group of teenagers through the two years of sixth form. The controversial plot lines explore issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness (including eating disorders), sexual orientation identity, substance abuse 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 cast changes after each two series as the pupils move on and leave the sixth form.

Series 5

This series introduces the third generation of sixth formers who are an eclectic mix of characters. Dakota Blue Richards (The Golden Compass) stars as Franky, who automatically sets herself up as an outsider after she joins the school three weeks late. The girls including Mini, Liv and Grace try to hinder her settling-in period. New lads characters were introduced: Alo, Rich, Nick, and Matty. The serie had the usual bitching and angst.

Series 4

Series four begins with the suicide of a girl named Sophia (Amberley Gridley). She was high on MDMA at a club Thomas works at. A police inspector (Pauline Quirke) questions the entire gang, and Thomas is expelled by the new headmaster (Chris Addison) for his connection to the incident. Pandora breaks up with Thomas after he sleeps with someone else. Emily’s mother finds out that she slept with Naomi resulting in them having a difficult relationship.

Series 3

We are introduced to the new cast on their first day at Roundview College in the series premiere, "Everyone". JJ Jones, James Cook and Freddie McClair are best friends to begin with; twins Katie and Emily Fitch know Naomi Campbell from school but are distant with her because Katie is homophobic and suspects her of being a lesbian. Effy, and sidekick Pandora were introduced. Cook starts up a casual sex relationship with Effy.

Series 2

The second series premiered on E4 on 11 February 2008. The series aired on Monday nights, making it the only series so far not to broadcast on Thursdays. "Maxxie and Tony" starts the series, showcasing Tony's impairments following his accident and Maxxie's involvement to his recovery. The episode also reveals more about Maxxie's life; we learn of his ambitions to be a dancer, his surname, his difficulties with homophobic bullies, and encounter his parents (played by Bill Bailey and Fiona Allen).

Series 1

Episode one, "Tony", is an ensemble piece that introduces the characters and the format. We meet the effortlessly attractive, popular and intelligent Tony as he arranges for his friends to attend a party held by posh girl Abigail Stock (Georgina Moffat). The second episode, "Cassie", focuses on Cassie's last visit to an eating disorder clinic where she is under the supervision of Abigail's mother Dr Stock. Jal attempts to win BBC Young Musician of the Year and improve her relationship with her musician father.

Skins from E4

This teen drama that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol through the two years of sixth form.