“Have you all now”: Skins star Kaya Scodelario reflects on show’s lasting impact after cast reunion

Kaya Scodelario ( Image via YouTube / @kayascods )
Kaya Scodelario ( Image via YouTube / @kayascods )

Even several years later since it was first aired, Skins is a show that, according to Kaya Scodelario, resonates with the viewers. The UK-aired teen drama, aired between 2007 and 2013, was defined by the uncouth presentation of teenage life, addressing issues such as mental illness, relationships, drug abuse, and s*x.

Scodelario, who played Effy Stonem, talked about the recent reunion of the cast and pointed out how the legacy of the series is still very active on the side of the actors and the fans. According to Collider, Scodelario shared the group photo on her Instagram story along with the following touching caption:

"On her Instagram Stories, Scodelario posted the group shot with a heartfelt caption: “The way I used to pray for brothers growing up — knowing I have you all now is everything ❤️.”

She added,

“It's a real honor. I think what's shocking for us is that we're never reuniting — we're just still friends. [Laughs] We're still going out all the time. We were at a friend's wedding, so that was kind of why we took a picture together, because it was a special moment.”

This suggests the perennial applicability of the show and how the cast relishes the reality and the intensity with which it was done. The reunion was also a chance to revisit the friendship, challenges, and self-growth that took place on set, and this made everybody involved in the show remember why Skins is still a cultural reference.


The cultural impact of Skins

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Skins developed the tradition of following the original approach to the portrayal of life among teenagers. It never flinched when it came to tough topics, including depression, anxiety, drug abuse, s*xual experimentation, and dysfunctional family relationships.

It was also controversial in its realistic depiction, some praising how real it was, others criticizing that the content could be considered quite mature. Nevertheless, the series established the trend of teen dramas worldwide, determining the way in which the stories of young adults were shown on TV and the internet.


Kaya Scodelario’s role and perspective

The persona and the perception represented by Kaya Scodelario as Effy Stonem were the core of Skins. What started as a reserved and elusive character, Effy turned out to be one of the most detailed in the series, allowing the viewers to explore the topics of emotional turbulence, a sense of strength, and identity.

Scodelario has addressed the role of Effy and its impact on her acting profession and views of adolescence.


The reunion and cast reflections

Some of the original cast, like Nicholas Hoult and Daniel Kaluuya, were also present in the reunion. It served as a source of memory of how Skins were able to enhance their careers as well as their lives. Scodelario described the experience as nostalgic, and he emphasized the shared experiences and problems that brought the cast together on the set.

Hoult and Kaluuya also acknowledged how the experience of doing a show such as Skins at a young age equipped them for future roles in their career.


Responses of fans and long-term relevance

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Skins continues to have a loyal fan base even after the show was terminated many years ago. The presence of social media, streaming, and online forums gives the new viewers a chance to watch the show and gives the long-term fans a chance to reminisce.

According to Scodelario, the involvement of fans highlights the enduring popularity of the show. She described how people continue to subdivide character growth, plots, and depictions of teens, showing that Skins still addresses people regardless of their age.


Legacy of the series

The legacy of Skins lies in its refusal to sugarcoat its stories, to delicately develop its characters, and to address serious topics without having them diluted with sugary dialogue. The series was a catalyst for the teen dramas that followed after it, addressing similar somber themes openly.

The statements of Kaya Scodelario during the reunion and the participation of her co-stars also indicate that Skins still holds a place in the history of television as the show that established the standard of that era.


Therefore, despite the time lapse, Skins still holds its position as one of the best series because it reflects youth culture and social problems. The reunion continued to show the influence that the show had on its actors, but also how it influenced the discourse on teenage and mental well-being.

By looking at the cast initially assembled, as Scodelario mentioned, the cultural legacy was re-established, and the way the show narrates its stories still affects the viewers even now.

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Edited by Anjali Singh