Skins dump the whole cast

Speaking at Broadcast's TV Drama Forum, executive producer Bryan Elsley and series producer Chris Clough said they envisaged refreshing the cast every two years for as long as it is on air.

It will continue to focus on characters aged 16 to 18 and complete their storylines as they go to university or begin their careers.

An open casting session for the 10 lead characters, held in Bristol last week, attracted 1,500 people. A further session is planned for London in the coming weeks.

"There are risks associated with dumping a cast, but we just did it," said Elsley. "There was some disquiet at the channel, but then they told us just to go with it.

"It's exciting - we never stand still and we can tell our stories in a new way."

The pair plans for series three and four, if it is recommissioned into 2010, to follow a similar arc of the first two series.

"The first year is about getting to know the kids, and the second gives us the advantage of being able to explore their psyches a little more," said Elsley.

Skins will retain its collaborative writing model, in which up to 20 writers contribute to scripts and which nurtures young talent.

Series three will feature scripts by four writers under 20.

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