When I first saw the original British version of Skins, it was really unlike any other teen show I had seen before. 

Compared to their American counterparts, Skins was edgy and was not afraid of darker and controversial subjects, it also was not clean. Profanity and teen sexuality was front and center, which of course became a problem when MTV tried to make an American remake, which proved controversial, even though the show was toned down for the censors.

And although it was criticized for having unrealistic teenagers, this series – which was set in Bristol, England half the world away from where I grew up – depicted teens that were similar to the ones I hanged out with.

The show ran from 2007 until 2013, and it became known for changing its main cast every two years. It had three generations of characters, and it ended its run with a final season to catch up with some of the main characters from its first and second generation.

So where are the stars of the first and second generations of Skins now?

Nicholas Hoult – Tony Stonem

Let us start things off with the first actor we ever saw on the series, Nicholas Hoult, who played generation 1 main character, Tony Stonem.

Of course Hoult was already an established movie star when he took on the role, he did start off his career quite young in About A Boy with Hugh Grant. So it is not surprising that he continued his upward streak after the end of his run in Skins. Hoult went on to star in the remake of Clash Of The Titans, in which his on-screen younger sister in Skins, Kaya Scodelario also had a small part. He also had the lead role in Warm Bodies and Jack The Giant Slayer.

He is most well-known for his turn as Hank McCoy or Beast in X-Men: First Class trilogy, wherein he started a famous romance with co-star Jennifer Lawrence.

In 2015, he served as a producer and main star of Kill Your Friends where he played a psychotic A and R music man, Steven Stelfox, who seemed to be a grown up version of Tony Stonem. If you miss Hoult as Tony, I suggest you watch this movie.

Kaya Scodelario – Effy Stonem

Kaya Scodelario appeared in more episodes than any other cast member in the series. She transcended generations 1 and 2 , serving as a supporting character in the first two seasons and becoming the main star in the third and fourth. She was one of three characters who closed off the series with her own two-episode special in the seventh season.

After Skins, she has gone on to a successful Hollywood career like on-screen big brother Nicholas Hoult. 

Her most famous role is that of Teresa, in the Maze Runner film franchise. She will also be seen in the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean film, Dead Men Tell No Tales.

Mike Bailey – Sid Jenkins

Mike Bailey played the adorable lovable loser Sid Jenkins, best friend to cool and suave Tony Stonem, and also one half of generation 1’s most prominent romantic pairing.

Mike’s acting career has gone relatively quiet since the end of his role in Skins. He did appear in 2013’s We Are The Freaks, and he will be seen next in Reunion In Hell. He keeps himself on the down-low working as a Sales and Marketing officer in London.

April Pearson – Michelle Richardson

April Pearson got the part of Michelle, Tony’s girlfriend and Sid’s crush when an audition was held in her school.

Pearson has had steady acting roles in British films and television since her days in Skins. She appeared in the horror film Tormented opposite Alex Pettyfer, and she will be starring in the upcoming television series War and the British movie Caught.

Hannah Murray – Cassie Ainsworth

Hannah Murray played Cassie, the anorexic and crazy best friend of Michelle, and Sid’s love interest. Their pairing was a major point of interest in the series, and was a major cliffhanger at the end of Generation 1. The fate of their love was left ambiguous when Cassie had her special two-part episode in the final season ( I still want them to be together, by the way).

At the end of Generation 1’s run, Hannah tried out her hand on the West End Stage. Currently she plays Gilly in the hit global phenomenon Game Of Thrones. In 2015 she starred in the critically acclaimed Danish film Bridgend as Sara, she would go on to win a Best Actress trophy for this role at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Joe Dempsie – Chris Miles

Joe Dempsie as the tragic but outgoing Chris was arguably one of the most popular characters in the show. The character’s death and funeral was one of the show’s most iconic moments.

Joe Dempsie has gone to a successful television career. He has appeared in This Is England 86, The Fades, New World and Merlin. But his most memorable role is that of Gendry in Game Of Thrones, who as far as we know is still rowing somewhere in Westeros.

Larissa Wilson – Jal Fazer

Larissa Wilson played Jal, who appears to be the good girl among the circle of misfits. She would eventually fall for delinquent Chris, and made the memorable speech at his funeral.

Larissa has appeared in a few episodes of different shows in British television since Skins. She also went on to star in Tormented, alongside April Pearson.

Things have been quiet lately since her last role in a 2014 episode of Suspects.

Dev Patel – Anwar Kharral

Dev Patel played what would be a huge stride and unique take on Muslims. His character Anwar was not only unconventional himself, he also had a gay best friend, Maxxie.

Dev of course broke into Hollywood with his lead role in the critically acclaimed sleeper hit Slumdog Millionaire, which won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture.

He also had a main part in The Last Airbender.

Dev then went on to appear in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and its sequel the Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, wherein he starred opposite legends of British Cinema, which includes Academy Award Winners, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith.

Mitch Hewer – Maxxie Oliver

Mitch Hewer played gay character Maxxie who subverted stereotype by simply being one of the lads.

A gifted singer and dancer, Mitch went on to play the lead role in musical television series Britannia High. His career went quiet for a while until 2014 where he appeared in a supporting role in Behaving Badly with Selena Gomez. In 2015 he had a main part in the supernatural thriller Night Light.

Jack O’Connell – James Cook

Cook was memorable as the show’s biggest bad boy, an archetype which Jack would play more of during his post-Skins career, but would be instrumental into transitioning him into a Hollywood star. He also got the honor of closing off Skins since his special two-part episode in Season 7 was the show’s last.

Jack was a mainstay of British cinema after Skins, going from one film to another. He rose to prominence in critically acclaimed turns in 71′ and Starred Up. He made his Hollywood debut with 300: Rise Of An Empire, and had his first major lead role in Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken. He recently appeared in Money Monster alongside George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

Lilly Loveless – Naomi Campbell

Lilly Loveless as lesbian Naomi Campbell broke barriers with her role.

Loveless would go on to star in several British television shows including Bedlam with Theo James, she recently made an appearance in an episode of The Musketeers.

Ollie Barbieri – JJ Jenkins

Olli Barbieri played the strange and nerdy JJ Jenkins who was part of the golden trio of best friends with Cook and Freddie.

Barbieri has largely remained out of the acting scene since his role in the comedy Anuvahood, although he is quite active on social media.

Luke Pasqualino – Freddie McClair

Skins has a habit of suddenly killing off major characters, and one death that proved very unpopular and controversial was that of Luke Pasqualino‘s character, Freddie. Fun fact, he originally auditioned for the part of Tony Stonem.

Since his demise on Skins, Luke has had a pretty decent career in both film and television. He had supporting roles in The Apparition with Tom Felton, and in the ensemble science fiction film Snowpiercer alongside Chris Evans.

He also had a small part in The Borgias, and currently appears as the lead star in television series The Musketeers.

Merveille Lukeba – Thomas Tomone

Merveille Lukeba played Thomas Tomone, an immigrant from the Republic of Congo, who falls for Effy’s best friend Panda.

Lukeba hasn’t been active in the acting front since his role as Perry in 2013’s British series, Making Sparks. But it looks like he has a supporting role in the upcoming film A United Kingdom, which stars Rosamund Pike, and Tom Felton.

Lisa Blackwell – Panda Moon

Panda Moon is the only other character in the main cast, aside from Effy, who transcended Generation 1 and 2. She also is notable for having a happy ending with love interest Thomas. A rarity in this show where most characters are often left with an ambiguous or tragic ending.

Lisa has largely stayed out of the limelight except for a few roles in short films.

Megan Prescott – Katie Fitch

Megan played Katie Fitch, the twin sister of Emily Fitch who is also played by her real life twin sister. Katie is promiscuous and more outgoing and popular than her twin.

Megan is no longer active in the acting front but instead has become a successful body builder.

Kathryn Prescott – Emily Fitch

Kathryn Prescott played Emily Fitch, twin to Katie Fitch. Emily is one half of a popular pairing, with Naomi Campbell, which has become one of the most beloved lesbian couple in television.

Like their on-screen characters, Kathryn has taken a different path than her twin. She has continued with her acting career and appeared on four episodes of CW’s Reign.

She then landed the lead role on MTV’s Finding Carter. She is due to appear in the upcoming television series 24: Legacy.