Skins: Series 2 - The writers

E4’s landmark drama series Skins is back with ten brand new episodes that follow the chaotic lives and lusts of a group of spliff-toting British teenagers. Series 2 starts on E4 on 11th February 2008 and on Channel 4 on 14th February 2008. Take a look at the official synopsis for each episode of Series 2. Find out who's who among the Skins' writers and writers group contributors.

Bryan Elsley – writer (episodes 1, 3, 9) and co-creator/ executive producer
Bryan, born in 1961, spent most of his childhood in the Edinburgh satellite town of Dalkeith before going on to study English and History at York University. It was there he met a young student named Harry Enfield. The two of them shared a passion for taking the mickey and decided to form a comedy duo – which became known as Dusty and Dick. Dusty and Dick’s Lucky Escape from the Germans proved a sell-out hit at the Edinburgh festival. After parting from Enfield, Elsley took up a career in theatrical direction before going on to write, first for the theatre then for television. His seminal short film Govan Ghost Story paved the way for other writing jobs on British serials. In 1996 he wrote the award-winning adaptation of Iain Banks' The Crow Road and two years later The Young Person’s Guide to Becoming a Rock Star. Subsequently Elsley has written several original series and films, including 40 with Eddie Izzard (2003), Nature Boy (2000) and Rose and Maloney with Sarah Lancashire (2002-2005).

Jamie Brittain – writer (episode 6) and co-creator
Born in Edinburgh in 1985, Jamie spent his teens in Bristol before moving to London and studying English at Kings College. Having written the Sid episode for series one, and now the Tony episode for series two he has also directed an Unseen Skins online special for e4.com/skins

Jack Thorne – writer (episodes 2, 10)
Jack (28) burst onto the scene with his play When You Cure Me at the Bush Theatre last year which was also adapted as a radio play for BBC Radio 3, and is set to be revived at the Barrow St Theatre in New York in October 08. Jack’s other plays include Fanny and Faggot (Pleasance, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Finborough Theatre and Trafalgar Studios), Stacy (Tron, Arcola and Trafalgar Studios), Paperhouse (Flight 5065) and Solids (Paines Plough/Wild Lunch at the Young Vic). For radio his play Left at the Angel was on Radio 4 last summer. His short film credits include: A Supermarket Love Song (Sundance Film festival 2006) and The Mascot (Film London/Pulse Digital Shorts). In 2002, Jack was awarded RSC/Marlowe Society 'Other Prize' and in 2004 he was short listed for the Verity Bargate Award. Jack wrote two episodes for first series of Skins and was listed in Broadcast magazine's 2006 poll of hot TV talent under the age of 30. His other TV writing include Shameless and 30-minute drama The Spastic King for Channel 4’s Coming Up strand (Nov 07). His first feature, The Scouting Book for Boys is in pre-production with Filmfour and Celador.

Lucy Kirkwood – writer (episode 7)
Skins is Lucy’s (23) first job in television, she has written the Effy episode for series two. She is also under commission to the Bush Theatre and Resident Writer at Clean Break Theatre Company. Her short plays have been produced at the Union Theatre, Latitude Festival and at Manhattan Theatre Source, New York.

Sally Tatchell – writer (episode 4)
Sally (30) has written the Michelle episode for series two. She has been a freelance writer for two years and has written ten episodes of The Bill. She is currently developing an original drama for television.

Ben Schiffer – writer (episode 5)
Ben (24) has written the Chris episode for series two and directed two Unseen Skins online specials, having co-written the Maxxie/Anwar episode with Simon Amstell for series one. Ben’s short film Hot or Not was produced for BBC’s Brief Encounters. His play Paper Tigers was produced at the Edinburgh Festival in 2004.

Daniel Kaluuya – writer (episode 8) and actor (Posh Kenneth)
Daniel (18) has been part of the Skins Writers Group since series one and also plays Posh Kenneth in the series. He has written the Jal episode for series two, having written an Unseen Skins online special during series one. His other acting credits include: Shoot the Messenger; Mitchell & Webb (both BBC) and Whistleblowers (Carnival Films). His other theatre writing credits include: various short plays for Hampstead Theatre’s Youth Theatre.

Josie Long (25) has been part of the Skins Writers Group since series one. She has written and directed an Unseen Skins online special for series two, as well as having written and performed in them for series one. So strong was her performance that her on-screen character, Josie the careers adviser, has graduated to the main series and appears in episode 5. Josie won the if.comedies Best Newcomer Awards at the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe. As well as hosting her own monthly comedy night, The Sunday Night Adventure Club, at the ABC Café in Crystal Palace and the Boogaloo pub in North London, she appeared in Show & Tell (a six-part podcast with Robin Ince), supported Stewart Lee on his 2005 tour and co-hosted the Resonance FM show I, DJ with Danielle Ward and Isy Suttie.

Comedy Consultant Robin Ince won the Time Out Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy in 2006. He has also won two Chortle Awards and was nominated for a British Comedy Award for his Book Club tour. His first feature film, Razzle Dazzle, had a national release this autumn. He has recently completed a 70 date solo tour going from New York to Rome to Rotherham as well as a 100 date tour supporting Ricky Gervais.

Atiha Sen Gupta (19) has been part of the Skins Writers Group since series one. Atiha write the Skins online Christmas Special, having also written an Unseen Skins for e4.com/skins during last series. Atiha is also under commission to Hampstead Theatre and has worked there on various projects including Waiting for Leroy, co-written with Tanika Gupta.

Max Gogarty (18) joined the Skins Writers Group since series one. This series he has written and performed in an Unseen Skins online special, having co-written one last year. Peter is part of Talawa’s Writers Group and is an International volleyball player.

Georgia Lester (18) joined the Skins Writers Group for series two and she has since written an Unseen Skins online special. Georgia is part of Hampstead Theatre’s Youth Theatre and has been involved in various new writing initiatives there.

Peter Bakare (18) has been part of the Skins Writers Group since series one. This series he has written Unseen Skins online special, having co-written last year. Peter is part of Talawa’s Writers Group and is an International volleyball player.

Daisy Swain Wright (17) joined the Skins Writers Group for series two and has also written an Unseen Skins online special. Daisy has also written and performed in short plays for Hampstead Theatre’s Youth Theatre.