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David Knox can’t wait for more of the crazy cool stories of kids from Skins.
Often television shows don’t hit their stride until after the first season. They iron out the wrinkles and learn who the audience like and return to the writer’s table full of confidence. So I’m really looking forward to seeing what Brian Elsley comes up with for the second season of Skins.
This troupe of Bristol teens burst onto our screens in January telling dynamic stories of teenage angst, ambition, romance, peer pressure, self esteem, anorexia and sexual identity. Wearing their hearts on their sleeves, they blew the rich kids of The OC and Gossip Girl out of the water.
Premiering just weeks after its UK conclusion, this is the equivalent of SBS ‘fasttracking’.
If you didn’t follow the first series (you don’t know what you’re missing), the title refers to focusing on a different member every ep – to get under their ‘skin’.
When we last left them, the alpha male, Tony (Nicholas Hoult), had been hit by a bus. He’s back for the second series – but you’ll have to see the first ep to learn any more.
Gay dancer, Maxxie, played gloriously by Mitch Hewer (pictured, right), is this week’s focus. With his platinum crop and toned physique Hewer’s clearly been working out during the season break. A twink hasn’t seduced the camera this effectively since Justin in Queer As Folk.
But Maxxie is much more than eye candy. He is a loyal friend to Tony, for whom he harbours a crush, and probably the most adjusted kid in the gang.
Hewer is also a killer dancer. He leaps through the opening scene’s dance rehearsal with ease – lookout Rhys Borbidge!
Maxxie’s dad wants him to become a builder, a story device that’s a bit Billy Elliot for my liking. Watch for the less plot-driven scenes where he laughs off the taunts of homophobes – you won’t believe where that ends up.
The other shining kid I’m waiting to revisit is Sid (Mike Bailey) who, from behind his beanie and spectacles, brims with vulnerability and usually handed the production’s best dramatic scenes.
But it’s all the cast that is reason to love Skins. Many first-time actors, they are a joy to behold – which is why it will be so much harder when Elsley turfs all but one for the third series. Even in TV you’re too old at ‘18’?
Skins returns 10pm Monday on SBS.
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