.gif)
Sensitive Skin (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Sensitive Skin is a British 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 and 2 have aired on CBC Country Canada
. Series 1 aired in Australia on ABC TV in mid 2007 (repeated 2009).
On 16 April 2008, BBC Video announced a DVD release. Sensitive Skin - The Complete Seasons 1 and 2 — a 2-disc set including all 12
original episodes from the First and Second Seasons — would be released on 5 August 2008.
. 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.
The closing music on the last episode is "Come Again" by Canadian Counter tenor Daniel Taylor. The full music list can be found at
http://www.babycow.co.uk/music.html
. Public reception was also good, with people appreciating the return of Joanna Lumley and warming to the sparse comedic style.
"One of the best pieces of television in years... Sensitive Skin, a portrait of a disturbingly disconnected ageing beauty whose marriage gradually disintegrates, is part comedy, part poignant drama, and is one of the finest performances of Lumley’s 38-year career" Jasper Gerard, Sunday Times
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
The US version will be written by Emmy-winning “The Sopranos
” writers Mitchell Burgess
and Robin Green and will take place in New York City
.
“Sensitive Skin” falls under a development deal Cattrall inked with HBO when she signed on for the “Sex and the City
” feature. Cattrall, Burgess, Green and Blick are exec producing with Henry Normal, whose Baby Cow Prods. was behind the British series.
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...
/drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
, produced by Baby Cow Productions
Baby Cow Productions
Baby Cow Productions Ltd is a UK comedy television production company established in 1999 by Steve Coogan and Henry Normal based in London and Manchester. It has since diversified into radio, animation and film. In 2008, BBC Worldwide bought a 25% stake in the company...
for BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
. It stars Joanna Lumley
Joanna Lumley
Joanna Lamond Lumley, OBE, FRGS is a British actress, voice-over artist, former-model and author, best known for her roles in British television series Absolutely Fabulous portraying Edina Monsoon's best friend, Patsy Stone, as well as parts in The New Avengers, Sapphire & Steel, and Sensitive...
and first aired in 2005, with a second series following in 2007. Series 1 and 2 have aired on CBC Country Canada
CBC Country Canada
bold is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that airs a mix of drama, comedy, arts and culture and sports programming.-History:...
. Series 1 aired in Australia on ABC TV in mid 2007 (repeated 2009).
On 16 April 2008, BBC Video announced a DVD release. Sensitive Skin - The Complete Seasons 1 and 2 — a 2-disc set including all 12
original episodes from the First and Second Seasons — would be released on 5 August 2008.
Series 1
The first series is about an affluent couple, Al and Davina Jackson (Lumley), who live in metropolitan LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. 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
James Lance
James Lance is a British actor who is best known for his appearances in a number of British comedy series. James Lance attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School...
), refuses to acknowledge adulthood, and Davina's sister, Veronica (Maggie Steed
Maggie Steed
Maggie Steed is an English actress and comedienne.-Youth:After studying drama at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol, she left the theatre for several years.-Career:...
), and her husband, Roger, intimidate the Jacksons with their confident and controlled grasp of life.
Series 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.The closing music on the last episode is "Come Again" by Canadian Counter tenor Daniel Taylor. The full music list can be found at
http://www.babycow.co.uk/music.html
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 OfficeThe Office (UK TV series)
The Office is a British sitcom television series that was first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 9 July 2001. Created, written, and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the programme is about the day-to-day lives of office employees in the Slough branch of the fictitious...
. Public reception was also good, with people appreciating the return of Joanna Lumley and warming to the sparse comedic style.
"One of the best pieces of television in years... Sensitive Skin, a portrait of a disturbingly disconnected ageing beauty whose marriage gradually disintegrates, is part comedy, part poignant drama, and is one of the finest performances of Lumley’s 38-year career" Jasper Gerard, Sunday Times
DVD release
Sensitive Skin - The Complete Seasons 1 and 2 was released on Region 1 DVD on 5 August 2008. The two-disc collection includes all 12 episodes from the first and second seasons.American Adaptation
American premium cable network HBO has announced an upcoming adaptation of the show starring and Kim CattrallKim Cattrall
Kim Victoria Cattrall is an English actress. She is known for her role as Samantha Jones in the HBO comedy/romance series Sex and the City, and for her leading roles in the 1980s films Police Academy, Big Trouble in Little China, Mannequin, and Porky's...
of Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
fame. http://tv.yahoo.com/show/205/news/urn:newsml:tv.eonline.com:20080602:c00055704a90_4fd8_8f59_9ea5796d58ed__ER:69084
The US version will be written by Emmy-winning “The Sopranos
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
” writers Mitchell Burgess
Mitchell Burgess
Mitchell Burgess is an Emmy Award-winning writer and producer. He worked extensively on the HBO hit-series The Sopranos. He was a creator and executive producer for Blue Bloods. He frequently works with his wife Robin Green.-Career:...
and Robin Green and will take place in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
“Sensitive Skin” falls under a development deal Cattrall inked with HBO when she signed on for the “Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
” feature. Cattrall, Burgess, Green and Blick are exec producing with Henry Normal, whose Baby Cow Prods. was behind the British series.
External links
- Sensitive Skin at the British Film InstituteBritish Film InstituteThe British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...