Skins is the acclaimed teen drama from the British channel E4. Set in Bristol, England, the show's seven seasons follow three generations of teens in their sixth form of high school. They face many issues, from teen pregnancy to depression, discrimination to homelessness, and neglectful parents to navigating a wide range of relationships.
The show aired its last episodes in August 2013 with an epilogic season 7. Previously, two seasons had been dedicated to each generation of characters, but season 7 comprises only six episodes split into three parts of two. This season focuses only on three of the most popular characters of the first two generations - Effy, Cassie, and Cook - but doesn't necessarily give characters the endings fans had hoped for.
FITTING: Michelle Richardson
Michelle is Tony's somewhat indignant girlfriend, and she becomes sick of Tony's determined attempts to ruin her life. She's also frustrated by her unstable home situation. Nevertheless, the two clearly love each other and keep finding their way back to one another.
In season 1, Tony finally tells Michelle how he feels, only to be hit by a bus. Michelle dates Sid for a while in season 2. By the end of the season, Sid realizes that the right thing is to help Michelle and Tony mend their relationship. They drive home together after dropping Sid off at the airport to pursue Cassie. They seem at peace with one another as they embark on a new chapter of their lives together.
DESERVED MORE: Chris Miles
Chris is the first main character to die in the series. As one of the key first-generation teens, he goes through many struggles but manages to remain optimistic and funny through it all.
He and Jal begin an endearing romance in season 2. Chris even vows to buy a place for them so she can escape her unpleasant home life. But Chris loses his flat and later moves in with Cassie. Their friendship is important for both of them, though Jal isn't happy with Cassie's self-destructive tendencies. At the end of season 2, just as he's becoming successful in his new job, Chris dies of a brain hemorrhage.
FITTING: Tony Stonem
Tony goes through significant growth throughout his two seasons as the main character. The series opens with his trademark snarky attempts at manipulating Sid, his best friend, and Michelle, his girlfriend.
After they break up, Tony sabotages every relationship that Michelle pursues. When confessing his love to her over the phone in the season finale, he's hit by a bus and severely injured. Season 2 follows his long road to recovery, at the end of which his ego is significantly deflated. He and Michelle make their amends.
DESERVED MORE: Frederick "Freddie" McClair
Freddie is one of the purest characters in the show, and if anyone deserves better, it's him. He goes to great lengths to be a good guy, especially to Effy, who certainly doesn't treat him as he deserves.
However, as Effy works through her issues, Freddie remains by her side. He's also a good brother to Karen, who asks Cook to look for Freddie after he goes missing. While the characters don't know what happened to Freddie, viewers know that he is murdered by Effy's therapist while Freddie's trying to defend her.
FITTING: James "Cook" Cook
Though his ending isn't a happy one, it's the only one that makes sense for Cook. He evolves a lot during the third and fourth seasons of Skins and seems like a changed man in season 7, but remains very much the same at his core.
After killing Freddie's murderer, Cook is more subdued but still sells drugs and mixes with the wrong crowd. His remorse becomes clear when he spares Louie in season 7. As always, Cook is left to fend for himself, with no home and no one to turn to.
DESERVED MORE: Elizabeth "Effy" Stonem
Effy can get a bit lost sometimes, but audiences can empathize with her. After struggling for so long with depression and receiving treatment that caused further damage (not to mention losing Freddie), Effy finally seems to be doing better in Skins Fire.
She lives with Naomi, who gets sick and dies, leaving Effy alone while she struggles with problems at work. After being betrayed by her boss, she's sent to prison, though she gives audiences one last trademark smirk as she's taken away. Still, this conclusion to one of the most important characters of the entire series is very bleak.
FITTING: Mini McGuinness
Mini starts out as a typical popular girl. She's dating Nick, a star athlete, and will do anything to maintain her social status. When Franky arrives at Roundview, Mini's position of power is threatened, as is her friendship with Liv and Grace.
In the sixth season, Mini heals her relationships with Nick, Franky, and Liv, while beginning a secret romance with Alo. At first, the relationship is purely sexual, but when Mini becomes pregnant, Alo is there to support her. Eventually, she opens up about their relationship and she gives birth to their daughter Grace, named after Grace Blood.
DESERVED MORE: Emily Fitch
Emily rarely strays from her core values, which is why she's willing to forgive Naomi again and again. She truly loves her, and she certainly doesn't deserve to lose the only person she's ever been in love with.
Emily is often pushed into Katie's shadow and feels bullied. When Naomi cheats on Emily, she is greatly impacted, but also willing to forgive her eventually. Of course, Naomi doesn't deserve what happens to her, either, but it seems to be Emily who draws the short straw over and over again.
FITTING: Aloysius Schmeichel "Alo" Creevey
Alo is a farm boy stuck on the outskirts of Bristol with his tyrannical mother. His spare time is spent with his best friend Rich or dedicated to his extensive collection of pornography. He spends much of season 5 obsessing over sex and helping Rich find a girlfriend.
Alo can't believe his luck when Mini wants to sleep with him in season 6, but he soon feels inadequate because she wants to keep their relationship a secret. When their relationship turns romantic, it serves both of their characters well, and it's a very fitting conclusion for Alo.
DESERVED MORE: Grace Blood
In typical Skins fashion, the third generation character with the purest heart and best intentions is killed off. Grace is a ballerina with very strong morals and a desire to help people.
Rich, a metalhead, eventually falls in love with her, and their romance is one of the most celebrated on the show. They even get married, but Grace meets her untimely death early in season 2. The group is on holiday in Morocco when Franky decides to hang out with Luke. Grace accompanies Matty as they pursue her, only to be caught in a car accident. Grace spends a long time in a coma before dying.