Sensitive Skin (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Sensitive Skin


caption = Series title card
genre = Comedy
creator = Hugo Blick
starring = Joanna Lumley
Denis Lawson
Annabel Capper
James Lance
Nicholas Jones
Maggie Steed
country = United Kingdom
language = English
num_seasons = 2
num_episodes = 12
producer = Hugo Blick
editor = Graham Hodson
runtime = approx. 29 mins per episode
network = BBC Two
first_aired = 10 November 2005
last_aired =
website = http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/noise/?programme=sensitive_skin

"Sensitive Skin" is an English black comedy/drama, produced by Baby Cow Productions for BBC Two. It stars Joanna Lumley and first aired in 2005, with a second series following in 2007. Series 1 currently airs on CBC Country Canada, with season 2 starting fall 2007.

On April 16, 2008, BBC Video announced a DVD release. "Sensitive Skin - The Complete Seasons 1 and 2" — a 2-disc set including all 12original episodes from the First and Second Seasons. — is scheduled for release August 5, 2008. [http://news.tvonmedia.com/tvom_news_by_show/Sensitive-Skin-Complete-1st-and-2nd-Seasons.shtml]

Plot summary

eries 1

The first series is about an affluent couple, Al and Davina Jackson (Lumley), who live in metropolitan London. Along with their friends, Al and Davina struggle with sexual temptation and professional jealously and try to cope with their fear of the future. Al is a pundit for a broadsheet newspaper and is paid to find imperfection in everything, while Davina works in an art gallery and is paid to make life more beautiful. But being 60 isn't simple – the couple's 30 year old son, Orlando (James Lance), refuses to acknowledge adulthood, and Davina's sister, Veronica (Maggie Steed), and her husband, Roger, intimidate the Jacksons with their confident and controlled grasp of life.

eries 2

The second series sees Davina attempt to start her life again, six months after the death of Al. She embarks on a journey to rediscover personal happiness, however her efforts are hampered by the difficulties she faces in coping with grief alone and Veronica, who is still blaming her for everything she can.

Reception

The series garnered great critical reception, praising the performances and the melancholic style, which set it apart from the standard cringe-driven comedies that had been in wide circulation since "The Office". Public reception was also good, with people appreciating the return of Joanna Lumley and warming to the sparse comedic style.

DVD release

"Sensitive Skin - The Complete Seasons 1 and 2" will be released on Region 1 DVD on August 5, 2008. The two-disc collection will include all 12 episodes from the first and second seasons. [ [http://news.tvonmedia.com/tvom_news_by_show/Sensitive-Skin-Complete-1st-and-2nd-Seasons.shtml Sensitive Skin - Seasons 1 & 2 to Debut on DVD in August (DVD) ] ]

American Adaptation

American premium cable network HBO has announced an upcoming adaptation of the show starring and executive produced by Kim Cattrall of Sex and the City fame. [http://tv.yahoo.com/show/205/news/urn:newsml:tv.eonline.com:20080602:c00055704a90_4fd8_8f59_9ea5796d58ed__ER:69084]

References

External links

* [http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/42591 "Sensitive Skin"] at the British Film Institute
* [http://www.sitcom.co.uk/sensitive_skin/ "Sensitive Skin"] at the British Sitcom Guide
*imdb title|id=0476940|title=Sensitive Skin