Potentially horrible (and deffo, at the least, worrisome) news for fans of the amazing UK teen series Skins … news today is that MTV has bought the rights to adapt the series for US television which should strike fear and loathing in anyone who has ever watched a single ep of the original UK version. Like it or not, it’s coming to America … in MTV style:
MTV has landed the rights to develop a U.S. version of the award-winning U.K. phenomenon “Skins,” it was announced today by Liz Gateley, Senior Vice President, MTV Series Development. Created by father and son team, Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain, the E4 and Channel 4 series is about a group of British teenagers who are trying to grow up and find love and happiness. Bryan Elsley will be writing and executive producing the U.S. version. In an effort to maintain the original production’s successful model wherein all the stories were written by a group of British teenagers, MTV will similarly join together unknown teenagers to write and star in the series. The producers intend to set the show in Baltimore, Maryland. “‘Skins’ is one of those rare shows that cuts through to its core audience with unusually authentic stories due to the unique writing and casting process that Bryan pioneered. Having personally pursued the U.K. project for almost two years, I am beyond thrilled to bring it to MTV in the U.S. We intend to preserve the authenticity of the British version and are excited to collaborate with the original team to develop stories that will speak to American youth,” said Liz Gateley, Senior Vice President, MTV Series Development. “We are delighted to be making ‘Skins’ for the U.S. and in particular, for MTV who have embraced the show and its ambitions and unusual production process. We are looking forward to talking to teenagers across the U.S. and making a show that reflects their lives in every aspect,” said Charlie Pattinson, CEO, Company Pictures. “Skins” instantly became a critical and commercial hit in the U.K. especially among young adults as it was the third highest-rated show of the year on E4 reaching 1.2 million P2+ viewers and achieved a massive 61% of 16-34 year olds. The series won a 2009 BAFTA Audience Award, which was voted on by the public, and Best Drama Series at the 2008 Broadcast Awards. “Skins” will be produced by Company Pictures, a division of ALL3MEDIA, and Stormdog, the same companies that produce the Channel 4 series in the U.K. Bryan Elsley, of Stormdog, will Executive Produce and write the U.S. version, along with Executive Producers Charlie Pattinson and George Faber, both of Company Pictures.
No, I’m sorry … but I cannot believe that MTV or any other US basic cable network, to be quite honest, will be able to do justice to this show. The thought of a watered-down version just irritates the hell out of me. I look at what NBC did to the brilliant Aussie comedy series Kath & Kim and I wince … I am really dreading a US version of Skins. I hoped and prayed that the show wouldn’t gain the attention of the US market and, well, here we have it. No offense to MTV but their brand of programming will not even come close to the spirit of the original. Only a pay cable network like HBO or Showtime would have the freedom to really do it justice and then, well, I’d still not have much hope. Besides, BBC America already airs a censored version of the original here in the US, there is NO NEED for an entirely new MTV version. This is crappy news. So, to offset, I’m happy to pass along that the 4th season of the original version of Skins has been picked up and will air in the UK next year. Ugh … why can’t MTV leave somethings alone?
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If there’s anything to be said for this, it’s that enough people love the original to prevent this show ruining the franchise. It will be another example of a show being lost in translation. I just can’t see the idea working in the United States, unless it doesn’t try to be the original. Where most imported shows go wrong is trying to copy the original, where the few which succeed copy the core elements and adapt the rest to the local market. Look at the Series 3 of the original British show, it is incredibly different to the first two, but there is enough to tie both groups of characters together. At first, I didn’t like the new cast, but as the series progressed, they started to grow on me, like the original cast. If Skins USA can avoid being derivative, and finds its own particular American voice, while still maintaining the essence of the Skins franchise, it could easily fit into the British Skins universe. If not, it will, just as easily, be cast away from it. It sounds like a no-lose situation for the Skins fan.
What a dumbass idea.
While a US version could be okay (but I doubt compare to the original) it wouldn’t work on MTV. It’ll be way too censored and not have the same feel at all to the originial. I agree with you Trent that if we have to have a US version Showtime or HBO should do it.
I love this show…and when I heard MTV was making a US version of it….Im just lost for words. This show SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE. MTV have you seen the show? It won’t be the same without the original characters AND it won’t be the same cause everything GOOD has to be censored. I say leave the show alone and start showing more music instead of more stupid shows
BTW when is the new season of Skins suppose to come out in the UK? Anyone Anyone!
Why cant america just show original shows, why do they have to butcher all the cool shows. they will ruin this with their political correctness! It will become some pg fairies and rainbows but with a touch of the hills crap! uggh!
What are they going to call it? “Papers”? The whole double entendre will be lost. Shame. Also, it will suck.
I was hoping beyond hope that this would NEVER happen. Still, there’s a small, VERY SMALL, part of me that prays that this American version won’t make me want to rip my hair out.
And yes, what would they call it?
oh jesusussususussususususus i may kill myself. well not really, but the original (cast *cough*) was amazing! I can not believe this.
Boo! But at least if it sucks it really does not have a thing to do with the real version. I have hope that this is such a stupid idea out of the gate that it won’t really have any terrible effect on the franchise.
i do agree that this is probably not a good idea. theres no way mtv will be able to do this series any justice, but looks like well have to wait and see eh? other than my friend im the only other person i know that has seen skins and absolutely loved it, so i do feel very protective about so many other people getting in on my little treasure but oh well. that being said i FULLY intend to attend any sort of casting process they may have for this series. im glad to hear that theyre still sticking to the whole open audition thing.
funny story, a few weeks ago i saw mitch hewer (maxxie) on the subway here in la. i wanted to say hello and tell him how much i love skins, but it was rush hour and probably woulda been awkward. caught him checking himself out in the window the whole time. hahahaha
Soo basically MTV is going to try and create a fictional teen version of the Real World… wait, don’t they already have a show sort of like that? I believe it’s called THE REAL WORLD. Why oh why can’t they just leave well enough alone. Seriously, the Brits practically invented acting, they’ve certainly been performing longer than we have. We’ve already killed enough of their shows over the years. And seriously MTV needs to change its’ name already… because I never see actual MUSIC on there anymore!
OMG NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY OH WHY OH WHY!!!!!!!!
im officially boycotting MTV.
Instead of bitching about “how awful a US version of the show will be”… DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
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Email MTV with your concerns – HELL! Threaten to boycott the channel/show if they do this. MTV used to be a great network by giving us great music videos, but those days are LONG GONE! Why it still exists is beyond me, but than again, I no longer watch it.
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Most likely nothing will come from sending emails since I doubt they care about ANYTHING but advertiser revenues (rather than viewer concerns). At least, you’ll have TRIED!
I am so angered with this news. The creators of the show from UK really sold their souls with their decision. $$$ always wins out. I agree with you that of all the so called bidding wars? that the show should have at very least went to more adult cable carrier to give it any possible? justice. i almost wish it would epic FAIL as all the kids now say!
MTV SUCKS!
Oh Hell No! They’ll just turn it into The Hills!!!
MTV has very little original programming that can be considered good. I used to watch undressed when I was in high school. It was horrible. Even I knew it then. I stopped watching the channel all together three years ago.
@Sarah — “I used to watch undressed when I was in high school. It was horrible.” True, the show may have been bad but it was bad in a fun way, plus ‘Undressed’ was one of the first shows to show honest depictions of same-sex love on basic cable. I can’t hate that show.
They better not show this in the UK, cos there would be a serious backlash against them.
MTV should stick with what it knows… reality tv