SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- After intense competition, MTV has landed the rights to develop a U.S. version of the award-winning U.K. phenomenon "Skins," it was announced today by Liz Gateley, Senior Vice President, MTV Series Development. Created by father and son team, Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain, the E4 and Channel 4 series is about a group of British teenagers who are trying to grow up and find love and happiness. Brian Elsley will be writing and executive producing the U.S. version.

In an effort to maintain the original production's successful model wherein all the stories were written by a group of British teenagers, MTV will similarly join together unknown teenagers to write and star in the series. The producers intend to set the show in Baltimore, Maryland.

"'Skins' is one of those rare shows that cuts through to its core audience with unusually authentic stories due to the unique writing and casting process that Bryan pioneered. Having personally pursued the U.K. project for almost two years, I am beyond thrilled to bring it to MTV in the U.S. We intend to preserve the authenticity of the British version and are excited to collaborate with the original team to develop stories that will speak to American youth," said Liz Gateley, Senior Vice President, MTV Series Development.

"We are delighted to be making 'Skins' for the U.S. and in particular, for MTV who have embraced the show and its ambitions and unusual production process. We are looking forward to talking to teenagers across the U.S. and making a show that reflects their lives in every aspect," said Charlie Pattinson, CEO, Company Pictures.
MTV To Develop U.S. Version of British Hit 'Skins'

I do NOT want this. American censorship is going to kill this. It's already watered down on BBC America. All this is going to be is a middle-class version of Gossip Girl or 90210 or whatever the latest teen drama is. Why can't MTV just restart the Laguna Beach franchise, just set in Baltimore instead?