Skins, a British teen dramedy set in Bristol, England, chronicles the lives of a core group of friends at Roundview College. Often heralded as the best, the original ensemble is an eclectic bunch, transcending Breakfast Club stereotypes, and even the rigid clique systems of high school. Named after the slang for rolling paper, the show heavily features the pursuit and use of drugs. From the beginning, the series has incited a lot of controversy through its depiction of teen sexuality, mental illness, underage drinking and drug use. The term “Skins Party,” was coined shortly after the show's debut, referring to the phenomenon of out-of-control parties in the U.K. and France, inspired by the show's portrayals of reckless behavior and cheap, sexy fun. (Seriously, where are the parents?!) While partying, drugs and sex are central themes to the series, the show strives to stay true to the issues that many of its young viewers face. To the critics who have accused the show of being too exaggerated or sensational, creator Bryan Elsley defends the series saying, “[Skins] tries to tell the truth. Sometimes that truth can be a little painful to adults and parents.”[2] Written by young writers and told from the perspective of teenagers, the series has found a niche in the zeitgeist of British youth culture. Although it arguably glamorizes sex and drugs and promotes excessive partying, Skins has been used in anti-drug campaigns and helped many teens broach difficult subjects with teachers and parents.
