Skins - Series 1 (2007)

UK
Television Series
Creators: Jamie Brittain, Bryan Elsley

Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Mike Bailey, April Pearson, Hannah Murray, Dev Patel, Joseph Dempsie, Mitch Hewer, Larissa Wilson, Daniel Kaluuya, Siwan Morris, Kaya Scodelario

Channel 4’s yoof comedy-drama, exploring the lives a group of 16 and 17 year old friends from Bristol, teenagers, who for once, actually look like teenagers, is a surprisingly entertaining and accomplished show. The humour, similar to another Channel 4 show, Teachers, often defies logic, but is grounded somewhat by the more dramatic moments. Each episode focuses on one particular character, with the other charcters being peripheral to the week’s storyline. This provides the show's greatest strength: We see certain characters in the background of stories and make an opinion about them, often a negative one, then when they get their own episode our pre-conceptions are often subverted, and we get a glimpse of the real person, of the private person. Frequently laugh-out-loud funny, often insightful, occasionally moving, and thoroughly entertaining.