Next Thursday sees the return of E4’s award-winning teen hit, Skins. The show, returning for its fourth series follows a gang of teenagers embarking on sixth form life at Roundsview College in Bristol. Skins deals with sensitive issues such as use and effects of drugs, sexuality, disability, anorexia and disfunctionality within the teen’s families, with each character taking a starring role in an episode. So what is in store for Series 4? If Series 3 has anything to go by, this could be the best one yet….
The crème de le crème of Series 3 are back for seconds out, round two and in their graduation year, there are sure to be plenty of fireworks, agony, tears and drama. First up, is Effy (Kaya Scodelario). Effy is the only character to still be remaining from the original cast and had a turbulent time last year, enduring a bitter divorce between her parents, plus the nagging attentions and rivalry from Katy (Megan Prescott). That ended in episode 8, when Effy ended up whacking Katy round the head with a rock. Effy also ended up playing a significant part in the series finale, as she was caught in a complicated love triangle with best buddies, Cook (Jack O’Connell) & Freddie (Luke Pasqualino). Initially, she isn't around to begin with, but when she returns to college, expect the usual load of mischief and torment from her.
Pandora (Lisa Blackwell) is the sweetheart of the group. Seen as naïve and enthusiastic, with a weird sense of imagination, her on-off romance with Thomas (Merveille Lukaba) was one of the highlights of last series. This year, an incident at a club night in the very first episode leaves Thomas questioning his beliefs and aspects of his life. It sees a complete change in his character, which means he freezes out his mates. This leaves Pandora with a lot of problems and growing up to do.
The volatile, but cheeky Cook is back and up to his usual way of dealing with life. Smashing up cars, partying all night and never afraid to love the ladies, viewers will meet Cook’s mum this year, will this mark a drastic change? Can Cook also forgive and hang onto his strong friendship with Freddie? At times last year, Freddie kept Cook from completely losing his cool, but ended up stealing Effy away from him. Has that love triangle concluded? I doubt it, so Freddie could have a fight on his hands, to hold onto the girl of his dreams. Completing the dream team is the funny, but always unlucky in love JJ (Ollie Barbieri). JJ is forced to deal with asperger’s syndrome (a scenario that hasn’t really been tackled by anyone other TV drama) and at times, his disability was put to the test by the constant bickering between Cook & Freddie. As childhood friends, will the three be able to stick together forever? JJ’s amazing magical tricks have failed to impress the women, despite a one-off with Emily (Kathryn Prescott), but he does find new love this series in the form of new character Lara (Georgia Henshaw). Will this bring new responsibility to JJ’s life, or will it just make him more vulnerable.
Katy (Megan Prescott) is still feeling vulnerable after the events of last series. Her pride and confidence were dealt a huge blow by a failed relationship with Freddie, the attack by Effy on her and Emily’s determination to move out of her shadow. This series, Katy has taken a new look, will it turn her fortunes around.
Her twin sister on-screen and off-screen Emily (Kathryn Prescott) is less popular with the college, but found a new friend, in more ways than one. Emily’s lesbian relationship with the idealistic and opinionated Naomi (Lily Loveless) was another stand-out storyline of the third series. Emily’s reluctance to admit her sexuality early on, coupled with Naomi’s fear of being unable to keep their relationship a secret saw the two win fans over for some of the most powerful, romantic and juicy scenes of Series 3. So much so, a website named after the couple ‘Naomily’ has been set-up and the writers of Skins, plus both actresses deserve to take a load of credit for dealing brilliantly with a tricky storyline. The fans got their happy ending last time, as Emily & Naomi admitted their love for one another at the College Love Ball. At the start of this series, their romance moves onto another level, all loved-up and happy and Emily even leaves home, in an attempt to become more independent. However, the honeymoon doesn't last as Naomi is hiding a dark secret, which threatens to ruin everything between them. Can they weather the storm and stick together?
Maureen Lipman, Harry Enfield, Sally Phillips & David Baddiel were amongst the guest stars in the third series. Already confirmed for guests roles this time round are the likes of Pauline Quirke, Will Young and Chris Addison.
This year marks the end for the current cast, as they move on after two years. If the success of Dev Patel, who took the lead role in the Oscar winner ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is anything to go by, I predict a bright future for the likes of Lisa Blackwell, Lily Loveless, Ollie Barbieri and Kathryn Prescott, all having star acting quality. Talk of a movie for the future which could see both generations of characters meeting would be interesting if it came true. As for the future of the show, that remains in the balance, as it should do when a whole cast leaves for pastures new. However, the ingredients have been made for what could well be the best series of Skins yet. I personally can’t wait for it to begin….
Fans of 'Naomily' should check out www.naomily.com for exclusive Emily & Naomi content.
No comments:
Post a Comment