Jamie Brittain and Bryan Elsley’s adolescent drama series, “Skins,” may have been ahead of its era in the 2000s, or perhaps those times weren’t as forward-thinking as they ought to have been in terms of teen representation on television. Although it mainly catered to a British viewership, “Skins” undoubtedly felt global and relatable to numerous young people around the globe.
The diverse cast of “Skins” (including future Hollywood talents like Nicholas Hoult, Daniel Kaluuya, Jack O’Connell, Dev Patel, and Kaya Scodelario) was vibrantly varied, entertaining, and, most importantly, resonated with a generation that frequently felt misunderstood and underappreciated. Charting the personal lives of these individuals on the verge of adulthood, “Skins” adeptly handled sensitive issues such as substance dependency, mental health challenges, dysfunctional family relations, and sexuality without being preachy or critical.
Certainly, the show included ample scenes of wild revelry that characterized most of its characters’ daily experiences (after all, they were in sixth form), yet it also allowed viewers to connect with their struggles on a significant level, often prompting valuable self-reflection. It’s no wonder that the British series was pioneering (receiving multiple accolades, including two BAFTAs) and ultimately influenced a multitude of films and TV programs (such as this underrated British superhero series) that examined similar thematic content. One such example is the 2012 10-episode Israeli miniseries “Euphoria,” from which Sam Levinson’s blockbuster American adaptation with the same name (featuring Zendaya, whose forthcoming 2026 sci-fi film you should keep an eye on) is derived.
Skins paved the way for Euphoria to soar.
“Skins” aired from 2007 to 2013 across seven seasons, radically revamping its cast every two years in line with its original premise and format — save for the final season that reintroduced three lead characters (Hannah Murray’s Cassie, Kaya Scodelario’s Effy, and Jack O’Connell’s Cook) from earlier seasons and crafted individual storylines focusing on their lives in their early 20s. While views on the two-season “eras” vary widely (personally, we believe the first two far surpassed what followed), it’s indisputable that “Skins,” in its entirety, significantly influenced the portrayal of teenagers on television over the years.
All the extreme and frequently exaggerated drug use and overt sexuality that Sam Levinson was able to depict more than a decade later in “Euphoria” may not have been feasible without “Skins.” This also pertains to the more nuanced topics the HBO series explored in both style and substance, such as depression, bipolar disorder, toxic relationships, suicidal thoughts, and personal trauma. We will soon find out if the upcoming third and final season can uphold that exceptional quality or if it will fall flat. Nevertheless, even if it does, that won’t undermine the brilliance of the initial two seasons, just as the latter seasons of “Skins” couldn’t diminish the show’s enduring influence.
If you’re in the U.S., “Skins” is now available for streaming on Hulu. However, keep in mind that Disney just increased the price of a Hulu subscription in late 2025, so you’ll have to spend at least $11.99 for the ad-supported tier.