LAST Thursday saw the launch of the new series of E4’s critically-acclaimed teen drama Skins. The Bristol bunch are back, but it is a new cast. As they attempt to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, here is what ten of the stars from the first two generations have done since leaving Skins for pastures new.
Nicholas Hoult
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| POPULAR: Nicholas Hoult has made a decent film career for himself |
Who did he play in Skins: Tony Stonem
What his character was like: Tony was a attractive, popular character who took the lead role of the first generation. Most of the main storylines in the first two series were centralised around his characters.
What has he done since Skins: Before Bristol life, he featured in the film About a Boy. Since Skins, he has appeared in the movie A Single Man, has recently been cast in an X-Men movie spin-off which is due for release this summer and was nominated for a BAFTA film award in 2010, although he lost in his category to Kirsten Stewart.
Kaya Scodelario
Who did she play in Skins: Effy Stonem
What her character was like: Effy was the only character to have appeared in all four series of Skins. She had a back part role in the first generation and barely spoke. She took the lead role of the second generation, taking the headlines for being caught in a messy love triangle with best friends Cook and Freddie. Effy’s characters traits were very similar to those of her bigger brother, Tony.
What has she done since Skins: Kaya has also made the move into movies since Skins, starring prominently in the gang movie Shank. She has also had supporting roles in Clash of the Titans, appeared in two of Plan B’s music videos in 2010 and does a lot of modelling for fashion magazines. Behind her career, Kaya is currently dating the Shameless star Elliott Tittensor.
Lily Loveless
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| FIERY: Lily Loveless career promises to be full of passion |
Who did she play in Skins: Naomi Campbell
What her character was like: Naomi began out as an outsider in the second generation. Fiery and a real political activist, she thought she knew who she was, and didn’t care about what anyone thought about her. This was challenged by Emily, who chased and chased Naomi throughout the third series. Cue the ‘Naomily’ phenomenon, which despite some rocky patches, ended in two happy endings. In the fourth series, Naomi is more open towards people, due to having found happiness with Emily.
What has she done since Skins: Lily Loveless has been very busy since finishing on Skins. She has appeared on CBBC drama Combat Kids, done some short films, with one due to be screened at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and has just finished filming the Sarah Jane Adventures for BBC. Her portrayal of Naomi was critically acclaimed by many, and these projects seem to highlight Lily’s high regard to many in the world of television acting.
Mike Bailey
Who did he play in Skins: Sid Elliott
What was his character like: Sid was Tony’ best friend in the first two series of Skins, but struggled to fit into the stereotypes of the group. Lacking confidence within himself, his relationship with Cassie was one of the main highlights of the first two series.
What has he done since Skins: Mike is one of the few who has almost disappeared totally since he finished Skins in 2009. His most recent credit was in the Channel 4 drama; 1066: The Battle for Middle Earth, which was nearly 18 months ago.
Hannah Murray
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| PROMISING: Hannah has proved she can do multi-tasking |
Who did she play in Skins: Cassie Ainsworth
What her character was like: Cassie was a very popular character with the Skins fans. Best friends with Michelle, her on-off relationship with Sid, which went lots of places was a highlight. The difficult relationship with her parents led Cassie to end up in some very precarious positions.
What has she done since Skins: Since Skins, Hannah is building up a very promising portfolio of work, largely in theatre and TV. Later this year, she will play the role of ‘Emily’ in her debut movie, Chatroom.
Jack O’Connell
Who did he play in Skins: James Cook
What his character was like: The ‘Cookie Monster’ was one of the leading characters in the second generation. His charismatic, all thrills attitude towards life saw him in some harassing scenarios. He fought with Freddie for Effy’s heart in series three, slept with Pandora and ended up in jail for assault. The whereabouts of whether he survived past series four are unknown, after a final confrontation with Effy’s psychiatrist; Dr John Foster.
What has he done since Skins: Before Skins, Jack had already experience a share of the limelight in Doctors, The Bill and Holby City. Since Skins finished for him, Jack starred in the critically acclaimed BBC2 drama Dive last summer and played ‘Marky’ in the film Harry Brown. He also won Best Actor for his role as Cook in Skins at the 2010 TV Choice awards. Jack has a lot of potential to go a long way in his acting career.
Dev Patel
Who did he play in Skins: Anwar Kharral
What his character was like: A very humorous character, Anwar’s faith is questioned at times, especially as he doesn’t follow most of the Muslim guidelines. He believed that homosexuality was against his religion, which put a strain on his friendship with Maxxie. He ends the show boarding a bus to London.
What has he done since Skins: There can be no doubt that Dev Patel has had the most success out of anyone since Skins. He took the main role as Jamel Malik in Danny Boyle’s hit movie, Slumdog Millionaire. Patel won a host of awards for his starring role and should a Skins movie take place, Dev will reignite his character as Anwar.
Kathryn Prescott
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| CHANGES: Kat's character, Emily went from shy to confident in no time |
Who did she play in Skins: Emily Fitch
What her character was like: Emily began Skins life as a wet blanket. She was very shy and often in the shadow of loud twin sister Katie. As the series progresses, Emily is more sure of her sexuality and develops strong feelings for teen activist Naomi. They have to overcome many obstacles, including Katie, her pestering mother and Naomi’s cheating in series four. After attempting to punish her lover back, Emily eventually forgives Naomi in a heart-warming conclusion to series four for ‘Naomily.’
What has she done since Skins: Kat began filming for a pilot show, Goth last year, which is expected to be picked up by Sky1. She has also filmed a minor part in medical drama Monroe and will make her film debut in the horror movie, Lethal later this summer. She has her own website and keeps up-to-date with many of her fans on a regular.
April Pearson
Who did she play in Skins: Michelle Richardson
What her character was like: Michelle was a very confident character, with an arrogant side towards herself. She was together with Tony at the start of their Skins life, but split up when he cheated on her. Her hedonistic lifestyle takes her to the edge and Michelle, after briefly dating Sid, gets back with Tony, although their future was thrown into question as they planned to head for separate Universities at the end of the second series.
What has she done since Skins: April made a cameo role in BBC medical drama Casualty after Skins and her first movie and last known work was in Tormented, a horror comedy in May 2009.
Luke Pasqualino
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| BRUTAL: Freddie's death shocked fans, but Luke is carving a leading role. |
Who did he play in Skins: Freddie McClair
What his character was like: Freddie likes skateboarding and smokes weed. He fights his best friend Cook for Effy’s affections, even shagging Katie when he thinks that Effy wants Cook. When Effy makes her mind up, it’s Freddie who she wants and their relationship is pushed to the limit in series four, when Effy’s mental health takes a turn for the worse. There is no happy ending for the pair, as Freddie is brutally beaten to death with a baseball bat by John Foster, Effy’s crazy psychiatrist in the penultimate episode of series four.
What has he done since Skins: Like April Pearson, Luke has appeared in Casualty in Skins, starred in an episode of the award-winning comedy Miranda and just recently, has earnt himself a leading role in the new series of Battlestar Galatica.
As you can see, Skins opens the doors for many actors/actresses and hopefully, the third generation will get the same opportunities as these terrific ten stars.
The fifth series of Skins continues with ‘Rich’s’ episode on Thursday night at 10pm on E4.
