Skins returns...

22 January 2009

E4's home-grown drama series is back from 22nd January, but with just two of the original cast returning, Skins 3 introduces a gang of new faces. Meet the class of 2009...

EFFY

Enigmatic and elusive, Effy’s the queen bee - attractive to all around her, utterly in control of herself and totally independent. But as her home life starts to fall apart, she is torn between new friends too – suddenly Effy has more to deal with than ever before.
Played by Kaya Scodelario
“In series 3 Effy is the powerful person who watches over everyone sussing them out. She’s very intelligent, and although her intensions don’t always seem good, she always means well.”

COOK

Oozing charisma, James Cook pulls off daring and dangerous stunts, knowing Freddie will always be there to bail him out. When his dark side emerges there’s no act, no matter how selfish or destructive, that Cook won’t consider. There’s no saying how long Freddie will stick around to save Cook from himself.
Played by Jack O’Connell
“My character, James Cook, is Jack the lad. He’ll bring humour first and foremost. He’s very extravagant; it’s going to be interesting to see where he goes.”

FREDDIE

Freddie Mclair’s got bags of potential but no va va vooom. He’s happily travelling through life on his skateboard, smoking weed with his mates and staying cool. But will Freddie be forced to stand up to Cook and assert himself for the first time in his life?
Played by Luke Pasqualino
“Freddie is a bit of a deep character really. He’s got a lot going on in his head. And to top it all off, he fancies a girl he can’t have!”

JJ

Master illusionist JJ’s got a huge imagination. With child-like excitement, he dreams up entertaining schemes, Cook carries them out, and Freddie acts as their conscience. They are the best trio in town. What could come between them?
Played by Ollie Barbieri
“JJ is a loser, a real loser. He’s the best friend of Cook and Freddie and is dragged through a lot with them. He thinks girls are a different species! He uses his magic to bridge a gap between himself and other people. Doing magic means he can take on a different persona and hide behind it.”

PANDORA

An adorable innocent, Pandora’s found a best friend in Effy. Pandora is sweet, quirky and warm-hearted, and helps keep this new group of friends glued together. Pandora is desperate to lose her virginity, but might just find love instead.
Played by Lisa Backwell
“Pandora says the most wacky things – she’s a bit of a loopy! Most people will see Pandora as simple, but what I like about her most is that she’s actually quite clever. She’s a little bit naive and her silliness makes her seem as if she has no idea, but there’s a lot more to her than people think.”

KATIE

Super smart Katie Fitch is shedding her identical twin skin, and establishing her individuality. She’ll try anything to gain status, and relies on her looks to help her succeed. Only Effy sees her legs furiously paddling under the water as Katie tries to make the surface appear calm.
Played by Megan Prescott
“There’s a reason why Katie is so in your face, and there is a reason why Emily is so quiet and subdued. Throughout the series you find out why they are different and how they are different. It’s weird because Katie and Emily have a bit of me and a bit of Kathryn in both of them.”

EMILY

Emily Fitch likes being a twin. She’s crippled by her own shyness and depends on her sister to be the dynamic one. But what if her twin abandons her – who will she turn to?
Played by Kathryn Prescott
“My character is called Emily and she is completely over powered by her sister. Her sister is the popular one who gets all the boys, and Emily is in her shadow. She’s really individual and passionate about stuff, but she never gets a chance to shine because Katie is always there being the first one you notice, and the one that everyone likes.”

NAOMI

Naomi Campbell is a beautiful idealist. Passionate, political and principled, no one believes in anything anymore - except for her that is. She finds a friend in Emily, but it’s complicated.
Played by Lily Loveless
“Naomi is a very head-strong individual person, who doesn’t think she needs anyone, but I think underneath she does – she’s a bit lonely. She’s a passionate person caring about what she believes in, as no-one else does.”

THOMAS

Thomas is a good, honest, honourable soul. But finding your feet in a new country is hard and Thomas needs to support his family. He needs money, and friends, but his mum is on his case.
Played by Merveille Lukeba
“Thomas is a character who has just moved from Africa – from the Congo. He is very poor and has come to Bristol to find a better living. He arrives and doesn’t know where to start. He meets two young ladies at a bus stop and they introduce him to the circle of friends that are the Skins characters.”

KAREN

Karen Mclair, Freddie’s older sister, dreams of being famous. She’s certainly not going to let her little brother, or his mates, knock her off course. The big hole in the Mclair family, since the death of their mum, isn’t going to be easily mended though, especially with these two at each others’ throats.
Played by Klariza Clayton
“Karen is a spoilt brat. She gets everything that she wants and is a big Daddy’s girl. She’s Freddie’s older sister and she wants to be a pop star. She’s very theatrical and a big drama queen - she’s a good character to play!”

See when the next episode of Skins is on with the Freeview TV Guide .