Jamie Brittain, one of the creators of Skins, has said that the Bristol-based show never would have happened under a private Channel 4. Teen drama Skins first hit our screens in 2007, and documented the lives of fictional teenagers living in Bristol as they navigated difficult (and sometimes controversial) life experiences such as substance abuse, mental illness and adolescent sexuality.
Brittain created the show with his father, Bryan Elsley, who had the initial idea to write a teen drama which laid bare, as opposed to pretending that teenagers do not indulge in risky behaviours. When the show was released in the late noughties, although some critics complained that it was stereotypical and unrealistic, it received positive reviews, and has since been watched by millions in the UK and beyond.
This week, the government has announced that it hopes to privatise Channel 4, which broadcasted Skins when it aired, and is responsible for programmes such as Gogglebox, A Place in the Sun and Naked Attraction. Channel 4 makes money through advertising rather than public funding, and with TV advertising revenues dwindling, the government now wants to privatise the channel.
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Jamie Brittain has essentially criticised the move, claiming that Skins would not have happened under a privatised Channel 4. Taking to Twitter, the TV writer said: "Channel 4 let us make Skins however we wanted.
"If they hadn't let us do that, then we might never have been able to give a bunch of people their first jobs, people like Dev Patel Daniel Kaluuya Jack Thorne, Jack O Connell, Kaya Scodalario Joe Dempsie Freya Mavor Hannah Murray."
He added: "Plus an absolute ton more equally talented writers, actors, artists, musicians, crew members, directors, producers who are now spread far and wide across the industry after getting their start on Skins. This does not happen under a private c4."
Although some of the Skins cast already boasted an illustrious career in television, such as Harry Enfield, Bill Bailey and Mackenzie Crook, much of the younger cast had their first big breaks on television through the show, and have starred in some incredibly popular titles since.
For example, Dev Patel, who played Anwar in the first generation, had his big break on Skins back in 2007, and then went on to star in films such as Slumdog Millionaire, Lion, and The Green Knight. Meanwhile, Bristol-born actress Hannah Murray, who starred in the show from 2007 until 2013, later spent seven years playing Gilly in cult-followed series Game of Thrones.
On the other hand, Nicholas Hoult, who played Tony, had previously starred in About A Boy, playing Marcus Brewer alongside Hugh Grant. Dakota Blue Richards had a lead role in The Secret of Moonacre as Maria Merryweather before she played Franky Fitzgerald in Skins.
Since Jamie Tweeted about Channel 4's role in creating Skins, fans of the show have written messages in support of both Skins and Channel 4. Jenna Bailey wrote: "Thank you for making such an iconic piece of British television.
"Skins is the soundtrack of my adolescence & I believe helped pave the way for the person I’ve become. The actors featured have gone on to star in award winning films & television, a true testimony to their talent!"
Pat Brown said: "Skins was amazing! I'm 76 now so was cracking on a bit even then but I loved the insights it gave me. We must save Channel 4."
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