Kate Molloy - Skins A-Z

A IMEE- F FION E DWARDS.

In real life Alexander is unrecognisable as his metal-head character, Rich. Part of the third generation of Skins characters, Alexander had no previous acting experience and was discovered by the producers in their quest to bring new talent and fresh faces to the series.

In an interview with Cult Box Website, Alex, born in Ashford in Kent, says of his character, Rich is very arrogant, hes quite self-absorbed, but at his core hes good-hearted . He just needs some time to decide what he wants. He pours all of his intensity into his music. Its great to play a character that has a lot to talk about.

A really good friend of mine is into metal music. He was a bit of a reference point. And Jamie Brittain, the shows co-creator , gave me some things I should listen to. The thing is, I can be quite a snob myself with film and music and stuff, so it felt like I just needed to look into myself and see which parts of me were like this character.

Alexander also had to get used to wearing a wig and heavy biker boots, but he felt they helped him develop a distinctive walk that added credence to the character. He told Cult Box Website: The long wig gave me a strange peripheral vision, so I ended up with my head down most of the time and that was a quirk that suited Richs character.

At the auditions Alexander hit it off straight away with Will Merrick, who plays Richs best friend Alo. Both actors feel their friendship was a great help in bonding them to give a convincing portrayal of best mates. Our friendship was quite organic. And we just bounce off each other quite well which extends to onscreen as well as off.

As for the new storylines, Alexander says, There are definitely dark waters in this series, but its probably the lightest series that Skins have offered, really. The double-act with Rich and Alo offers a lot of humour, but its still quite dark in places.

According to the official Skins website, ginger-haired, farmers son Alo lists his favourite things as my weed, my van and my dog. He fits right in at Roundview College where he immediately sets about finding the right girl to help him lose his virginity. He has a penchant for Victorian pornography and no regular girlfriend, claiming to be looking for anyone I can get. He is best friends with Rich, though the two clash constantly over music Alo likes indie rock bands while Rich loves heavy metal. But the two do agree on one thing: Sex. And lots of it.

Will Merrick who plays Alo reveals that it is his first acting job and that he is thrilled to be part of such a popular show. He also loves Alos sense of humour and his enthusiasm and told the official Skins website: Hes not really trying to be funny. Hes got a lot of interaction with a lot of other characters, and hes just a really upbeat kind of guy and so is a very happy part to play.

Hes not living in the city like everyone else; he is living on a big farm just outside Bristol. Hes quite a simple minded character who has very basic interests; desperate to start his sexual endeavours, get going with girls and find more friends. Hes really interested in getting into the swing of teenage life and embracing it. Hes always pushing just to have a great time and is a very positive sort of guy. No task is too hard, and anything is possible with Alo.

Angie is the youthful and sexy psychology teacher at the college in the first and second series. From the outset there is a forbidden attraction between Angie and her student Chris, who is besotted with her. Initially, Angie fights her desire for one of her pupils as she is shocked by her own feelings. But she eventually gives in and they begin a passionate relationship. In the end, though, Angie goes away and leaves Chris devastated. We learn that she is parted from an estranged fianc. In series two, Angie revisits Chris and sleeps with him, even though he is now in a relationship with Jal. Realising there is no real future in being with Chris, she goes away once more, leaving her flat to Chris.

This German word is a perfect description of the mental state endured from time to time by teenagers, and particularly the characters of Skins.

Often thought to mean anxiety, angst is rather more complex in meaning. It describes the unbearable anguish of life combined with the desire to overcome the problems of emotional turmoil, raging hormones, fear or rejection and alienation from ones parents. It is defined by crushing loneliness, the uncertainty of friendships, and the need for love.

Skins has tackled many difficult issues which affect teenagers. Cassies battle with the life-threatening eating disorder was one of the most poignant and heart-rending storylines of the first and second series. The writers carefully reflected the trauma and worry friends and family go through when close to someone in the grip of the illness and the sufferers inability to stop harming themselves through starvation. According to the Eating Disorders Association, more than 165,000 people in the UK suffer from anorexia nervosa with 5 per cent of young girls affected.

People with anorexia which affects women ten times more often than men starve themselves until they are dangerously ill while still believing they are overweight. They can become very cunning and manipulative, conning those around them into thinking they are eating when they are not. They use all sorts of distraction techniques to fool family and friends and the writers of