Despite being released 15 years ago, Skins (UK) still maintains cultural relevance and a significance as a blueprint for contemporary shows about being a teenager. Its bold creative decisions not only influenced a generation of teenagers, but some of today's biggest creators. Showrunners Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain established a new standard for teen dramas, featuring absurd, vulgar comedy, explicit nudity and sex scenes, severe mental illness, excessive swearing, risky drug and alcohol use, and the challenging realities that LGBTQ+ teenagers face. The title itself refers to the British slang term for rolling papers, hinting at the show's gritty nature.

Each season follows a group of British teenagers while they attend school in Bristol, and the cast is swapped out every two seasons with a fresh group of teens. Seasons one and two, which encompass the "first generation" characters, star Nicholas Hoult as Tony Stonem alongside his group of wild friends.The series focuses very little on the time they physically spend in school or at home, usually only including scenes that humorously expose the attending adults and exaggerate their negligence, noting that anything outside a teenager's realm is alien and absurd to them. This isolation establishes the "nobody-understands-me" loftiness characteristic to teenagers, which appeals to a youthful audience.

The two-time BAFTA award-winning show focuses primarily on the challenging aspects of teen-hood such as social belonging and identity. Scenes often take place at outrageous house parties or illegal underground raves, which British fans received so thrillingly that the series was blamed for a string of real-life (and rather notorious) "Skins Parties." Thus, there is no denying the show's cultural impact. Its originality and controversy gave contemporary teen drama creators permission to explore darker, more challenging themes to highlight the mysterious lives of teenagers.

Skins' Unhindered Representation

The cast of the second generation of Skins
All3Media / Company Pictures

When Euphoria season two's initial release was met with backlash due to provocative themes and controversial topics, fans on Twitter squashed the outcry by reminding people of its infamous predecessor, Skins. The creators of Skins took a risk by exploring darker subjects while still gearing the show toward a teenage audience. Before Skins, there were teen dramas that experimented with a more thoughtful, less extreme approach to representing teen-hood. Comparable precedents include Freaks and Geeks, One Tree Hill, and Degrassi. Skins, though, is the show teens watched when their parents were not home.

Yet, Skins represents an important shift in content, pushing realism to its edge and exposing a raw, dark center. The series is famous for introducing mature themes and startling portrayals. However, Skins is not simply a shallow exhibition of sex and heavy partying; there are negative consequences for careless behavior. In season three, episode eight, Effy and her friends go on a camping trip, or rather, two trips: Effy discovers psychedelic mushrooms growing in the woods. Effy has a nightmarish hallucinogenic experience, resulting in her assaulting Katie with a rock. Katie goes missing for several hours and ends up requiring hospitalization. This experience further triggers Effy's negative moods and ensures her downward spiral and exclusion from the group.

Skins is revolutionary for its depiction of the harsh realities associated with mental health issues. In seasons one and two, Cassie Ainsworth (Hannah Murray) struggles with an eating disorder. She casually details her experience to her love interest, Sid, downplaying its severity. She is often seen skipping meals, pretending to eat, and stuffing weights in her pockets when visiting her psychiatrist. She is eventually hospitalized and sent to treatment after attempting suicide.

Related: 12 of the Best British TV Shows of All Time

Additionally, Tony's younger sister Effy (Kaya Scodelario), who appears in the first two seasons and stars in seasons three and four, presents symptoms of psychotic depression a rare form of the illness that does not get much media attention outside the few accurate movies about depression. Effy's plot follows a smart, striking, yet damaged girl's gradual descent. Her suffering is grueling and heartbreaking, resulting in her hospitalization as well. J.J. struggles to navigate his social world as a teen with Asperger's. Cook's partying spirals out of control. Although the series has been accused of romanticizing psychological disorders and glorifying abuse, it certainly does not neglect the unpleasant consequences that these things entail. The level of raw intensity is unprecedented.

The creators also ensured there was LGBTQ+ representation in the series. First-generation character Maxxie is an openly gay boy whose sexuality causes a rift between him and his Muslim best friend, Anwar (Dev Patel). Although Maxxie's plot line revolves primarily around his sexuality rather than his character, it is refreshing to introduce a character who is already out of the closet. Maxxie's conflict with Anwar exposes Anwar's hypocrisy, as Anwar picks and chooses which Islamic rules to follow. The ongoing conversation and happy resolution underline themes of acceptance and friendship. It is unusual, even in shows and films today, for the gay character to receive a happy ending.

In generation two (seasons three and four), Emily and Naomi are involved in a romantic relationship. Emily spends some time in the closet but eventually accepts herself, disregarding her parents' cold attitudes toward her identity. Naomi, however, refuses to come out to the detriment of their relationship. Their toxic dynamic highlights a challenge all too common among LGBTQ+ teens navigating their own identities while trying to maintain healthy relationships a dynamic that has been replicated since Skins' release.

Effy: A Cultural Icon

Effy Stonem in Skins
All3Media / Company Pictures

Effy Stonem may as well have invented grunge chic. Her edgy style, striking features, enigmatic persona, and signature eye makeup inspired a generation of teenage girls. Even as late as 2014, one could not scroll through Tumblr for more than two minutes without stumbling upon an angsty, black and white still of Effy captioned with one of her famously cryptic quotes. Female millennial and Gen-Z fans alike occasionally take to Twitter to reminisce about how Skins impacted their youth, referring to Effy as "The Blueprint" for characters such as Rue from Euphoria, Maeve from Sex Education, Jill Garvey from The Leftovers, and even Jade from Victorious.

Related: Shows Like Euphoria You Should Watch Next

Skins fans fell in love with Effy from the start. In her debut episode, she hardly speaks, immediately drawing viewers in nonetheless. She mostly casts sly glances at Tony as he mocks their belligerent father with witty remarks. We see her wearing a private school uniform, appearing young and innocent, only to ditch it for a raunchy party outfit when she sneaks out that night to who-knows-where. Her beauty, intelligence, and self-destructive tendencies only amplify her mystery and allure. She achieves the combination of a cool aura and deep perspective that teenage girls strive for. Although the show contains elements that have since aged out, the show's intrigue endures today; Effy's character significantly contributes to the show's perpetuity.

A Lasting Impact

Cook in a green sweater in Skins
All3Media / Company Pictures

15 years have passed since Skins's initial release. The series finally drew to a close after the 2013 "redux," a six-episode season composed of three parts that focuses on the young adult lives of Cassie, Cook (Jack O'Connell), and Effy. To this day, fans discuss the show's significance in their lives. Many report re-watching the series at least once a year just to experience the preserved fresh chaos again. Beyond its continued relevance, Skins has undoubtedly influenced a new generation of creators, paving the way for new teen dramas to dive right into the hard-to-accept realities of teenage life.

A new generation can experience the same magic of Skins on Hulu.