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Entertainment • TV Series

Skins

Skins is a British teen drama television series created by Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Skins is a British teen drama television series created by Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain. It follows a group of teenagers in Bristol through school, with episodes often centred on particular characters or small groups. The series originally aired on E4 from 2007 to 2013 and became known for its changing cast and controversial subject matter.

Premise

Skins centres on the lives of teenagers in Bristol, England, and portrays their friendships, relationships, and personal struggles during sixth form. Episodes often focus on a single character or a limited group, allowing the series to present different perspectives.

Production and broadcast

The series was created by Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain for Company Pictures and first aired on E4 on 25 January 2007. It ran for seven seasons and 61 episodes, concluding in 2013.

Format and style

Skins is known for its ensemble structure, frequent cast turnover, and use of relatively young or less established actors. Major characters changed across generations, and its narrative approach and subject matter gave it a reputation as a distinctive and controversial teen drama.

Themes and reception

The series addresses topics such as substance use, sexuality, pregnancy, eating disorders, and mental illness. Its themes include friendship, sexuality, substance abuse, mental health, and teenage relationships. It was widely discussed for its frank treatment of adolescent life and its portrayal of difficult social issues.

Key facts

  • Each episode generally focuses on a particular character or small group of characters.
  • The series was created by Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain.
  • It premiered on E4 on 25 January 2007.
  • The series is noted for its shifting cast across generations.
  • Canadian viewers may know Skins through streaming and international distribution.
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Canadian context

Canadian viewers may know Skins through streaming and international television distribution; the series has also been listed on Canadian-facing streaming catalogues.

Frequently asked questions

What is Skins about?
It follows a group of teenagers in Bristol through school and adolescence, with episodes often focusing on one character or a small group.
Who created Skins?
The series was created by Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain.
When did Skins first air?
It premiered on E4 on 25 January 2007.
How many seasons does Skins have?
The original British series ran for 7 seasons.
How many episodes are there?
The series has 61 episodes.
What makes Skins distinctive?
It is known for its shifting cast, ensemble format, and frank portrayal of teenage issues.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skins_(British_TV_series)
    Supports: Creators, premise, premiere date, and episode-format description.
  2. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0840196/
    Supports: Series dates, genre, runtime, and country of origin.
  3. Apple TVhttps://tv.apple.com/ca/show/skins/umc.cmc.v4r89tl3qvdk9kuq0hcqmsse
    Supports: Canadian listing, setting, year, and series description.
  4. Netflixhttps://www.netflix.com/title/70140438
    Supports: Series description, creators, cast, and genre labels.
  5. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/skins
    Supports: Original run, genre, themes, and changing-cast format.
  6. Fandomhttps://skins.fandom.com/wiki/Skins_(UK)
    Supports: Season count, episode count, network, premiere date, finale date, and overview.