Skins: Series Two

This second series of E4’s stylish, Bristol-set flagship drama, depicting the lives of a group of sixth-form students, picks up six months on from where Series 1 ended.

Tony has come out of his coma, but is suffering the physical and emotional effects of his bus collision; Michelle is hoping that Tony’s true personality will return; Sid is wondering whether a long-distance relationship can work; Maxxie wants to leave college to pursue a career in dance; whilst Anwar is concentrating on evermore intricate theories designed to facilitate the loss of his virginity.

What sets this drama apart from its American counterparts is its willingness to hold nothing back in its portrayal of teenage lives – from casual drug use to awkward sex – without judging the characters or over-moralising the issues. And despite the fact that this second series is notably darker than the first, it is still surprisingly funny – the drama club puts on an ‘ironic’ musical about 9/11 entitled 'Osama', whilst Shane Ritchie, in a bizarre cameo as the drama teacher, explains to one student that she cannot be in the musical because ‘beauty is truth and you are a liar’.

The adult supporting cast is uniformly excellent (Bill Bailey, Harry Enfield, Peter Capaldi and Josie Lawrence all show up during the series), but whilst the show doesn't shy away from difficult subject matter, there is a sense that their presence is sometimes the result of a box-ticking exercise. Viewed cynically, Skins could be seen as an adult’s fantasy of teenagerdom, but ultimately the sheer quality of the writing and the charisma of the performances renders the show a satisfyingly entertaining watch.

Extras: Behind-the scenes footage, cast and crew interviews and five bonus stories.

Released on 5th May 2008 by 4DVD.

Written by Sam Monk.