The show is famous for giving young actors from all social classes the opportunity to enter the world of TV and film, but it seems that the nature and attitudes of the industry arguably stopped certain female stars of the show from advancing as quickly as they perhaps could’ve – and should’ve – done.
Hannah Murray – who played Skins favourite Cassie – found success on Game of Thrones as Gilly, though, while Effy star Kaya Scodelario recently starred in Guy Ritchie’s TV take on The Gentlemen and is set to appear in Keira Knightley’s next Netflix project The Woman In Cabin 10, set to drop next month.
Christopher Rafael/Netflix
But, as Megan says, the success trajectory of women from the show still feels slower, and harder earned. “I look at her sometimes and I’m like, why did it take so long so you to reach the success that you deserve? She’s f**king brilliant,” she tells GLAMOUR, adding that Naomi actor Lily Loveless also pivoted to TV writing. “I think we all struggled after Skins,” she added.
“It’s taken longer than it should have,” Megan says of Kaya’s success. “I don’t think she’s ever stopped working. That girl is the hardest working person I know. I just think if she wasn’t as tirelessly hard working then it wouldn’t have happened.” And why is this? “Women have to do it all to even just to get a look in,” Megan says.
In a post #MeToo world, it’s important to ask these questions – why women who star in huge, influential projects and cultural moments like Skins have differing experiences to their male counterparts when it comes to their career trajectory. And, in particular, the ways in which their sexual presence (on screen and off) influences and warps their visibility and perception in the entertainment world.