''Sensitive Skin'' is a

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

television

comedy-drama Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy) is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and Drama (film and television), drama. In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, il ...

series, produced by

Baby Cow Productions Baby Cow Productions Limited is a British comedy television production company based in London and Manchester, founded by Steve Coogan and Henry Normal. Since its establishment it has diversified into radio, animation and film. According to th ...

for

BBC Two BBC Two is a British free-to-air Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's second flagship channel, and it covers a wide range of subject matte ...

. It stars

Joanna Lumley Dame Joanna Lamond Lumley (born 1 May 1946) is an Indian-born British actress, presenter, author, television producer, activist and former model. She has won two BAFTA TV Awards for her role as Patsy Stone in the BBC sitcom ''Absolutely Fabulo ...

and was first broadcast in 2005, with a second series following in 2007. Series 1 and 2 have aired on CBC Country Canada, while series 1 aired in Australia on ABC TV in 2007.

Plot summary

Series 1

The first series is about an affluent couple, Al and Davina Jackson, who live in metropolitan

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

. Along with their friends, Al and Davina struggle with sexual temptation and professional jealousy 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, refuses to acknowledge adulthood, and Davina's sister, Veronica, 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 Al's death. She embarks on a journey to rediscover personal happiness, but her efforts are hampered by the difficulties she faces in coping with grief alone. Moreover, Veronica is still blaming her for everything she can, while Roger faces trial for a financial crime he didn't commit.

Cast

as Davina Jackson *

Denis Lawson Denis Stamper Lawson (born 27 September 1947) is a Scottish actor. He is known for his roles as Wedge Antilles in the original ''Star Wars'' trilogy (1977–1983) and as John Jarndyce in the television miniseries ''Bleak House'' (2005), the l ...

as Al Jackson, Davina's husband (series 1) *

Maggie Steed Maggie Steed (born Margaret Baker; 1 December 1946) is an English actress and comedian. Career After studying drama at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol in the late 1960s, Steed left the theatre for several years, until she was about ...

as Veronica Dorkins, Davina's sister (6 episodes) * Nicholas Jones as Roger Dorkins, Veronica's husband (8 episodes) * Oliver Cotton as Sam, Davina's employer and confidant (8 episodes) * James Lance as Orlando Jackson, Davina and Al's son (7 episodes) *

Jean Marsh Jean Lyndsey Torren Marsh (1 July 1934 – 13 April 2025) was an English actress and writer. She co-created and starred in the ITV series '' Upstairs, Downstairs'' (1971–1975), for which she won the 1975 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actr ...

as Lizzie Galbraith, Davina's neighbour (4 episodes)

Notable guest cast

* Tom Allen as Raphie, Sam's son (2 episodes) *

Patrick Barlow Evan George Patrick Barlow (born 18 March 1947) is an English actor, comedian and playwright. His comedic alter ego, ''Desmond Olivier Dingle'', is the founder, artistic director and chief executive of the two-man National Theatre of Brent, whic ...

as Ed Hubler, an old friend of Davina's (2 episodes) *

Denise Black Denise Black (born 16 March 1958) is an English actress. She is best known for her roles in ''Coronation Street'' and ''Emmerdale''. Early life and career Black was born in Emsworth, Hampshire. After attending Portsmouth High School for Gir ...

as Mike's wife * Deddie Davies as Deddie *

Freddie Davies Freddie Davies (born 21 July 1937) is a British comedian and actor who came to public notice in 1964 though the television talent show '' Opportunity Knocks'' and has since appeared in several television series and films. Early life Freddie Da ...

as a manifestation of Davina's frustration (2 episodes) *

Simon Day Simon William Day (born 7 June 1962) is an English comedian and actor known for his roles in the sketch show ''The Fast Show'' and the sitcom ''Grass''. Career Day was born in Blackheath, London, and rose to fame as a stand-up comic, winning ...

as Mike, a lecherous plumber *

Frances de la Tour Frances J. de Lautour (born 30 July 1944), better known as Frances de la Tour, is a British actress. A Tony Award winner and three-time Olivier Award winner, she is also known for her roles in the television sitcom ''Rising Damp'' and in ''Harr ...

as Sarah Thorne, Al's ex-girlfriend *

Eileen Essell Eileen Joan Essell (8 October 1922 – 15 February 2015) was an English actress, noted in part for not beginning her screen acting career until the age of 79. Career Essell retired from stage acting in 1958 following her marriage to playwright ...

as Davina and Veronica's mother *

Anthony Head Anthony Stewart Head (born 20 February 1954) is an English actor and singer. Primarily a performer in musical theatre, he rose to fame in the UK in the 1980s following his role in the Gold Blend couple television advertisements for Nescafé, ...

as Tom Paine, a

personal shopper A personal shopper is a person who helps others shop by giving advice and making suggestions. They are often employed by department stores and boutiques, although some are freelance or work exclusively online. Their focus is usually on clothes, a ...

who seduces Davina (2 episodes) *

Maureen Lipman Dame Maureen Diane Lipman (born 10 May 1946) is an English actress, columnist and comedian. She trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and her stage work has included appearances with the National Theatre and the Royal Shakesp ...

as Sue Shortstop, Ed's wife, a feminist activist (2 episodes) *

Toby Longworth Toby Longworth is a British actor. He has appeared on film, radio, and television and is best known for his role in Not Going Out as Paul. He is originally from Somerset, where he attended King Edward's School, Bath. However, he has worked most ...

as a guest *

Patrick Malahide Patrick Gerald Duggan (born 24 March 1945), known professionally as Patrick Malahide, is a British actor of stage and screen. His acting credits include '' The New Avengers'' (1976), '' ITV Playhouse'' (1977), '' The Eagle of the Ninth'' (1977) ...

as Leonard Richards *

Diana Quick Diana Marilyn Quick (born 23 November 1946) is an English actress. Early life and family background Quick was born on 23 November 1946 in London, England. She grew up in Dartford, Kent, the third of four children. Her father was Leonard Quic ...

as Cheryl, Orlando's girlfriend (2 episodes) *

Lucinda Raikes Lucinda Mary J Raikes (born 14 April 1971) is an England, English actress, most noted for playing Karen Ball in the sitcom ''Green Wing'' and Angela Heaney in ''The Thick of It'' and its spin off film ''In the Loop''. She has also appeared in ''S ...

Irina Irina or Iryna (Cyrillic: Ирина, Ірина) is a feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin, commonly borne by followers of the Eastern Orthodox Church The Eastern Orthodox Church, officially the Orthodox Catholic Church, and a ...

, a

Chekhov Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (; ; 29 January 1860 – 15 July 1904) was a Russian playwright and short-story writer, widely considered to be one of the greatest writers of all time. His career as a playwright produced four classics, and his b ...

character *

Adam Rayner Adam Rayner (born 1977) is an English actor. He is known for television roles including: Dominic Montgomery in '' Mistresses'', Dr. Steve Shaw in '' Hawthorne'', Aidan Marsh in '' Hunted'', Bassam "Barry" Al-Fayeed in ''Tyrant'', and Tal-Rho in ...

as Greg, Al's piano teacher and Davina's paramour (3 episodes) *

Nigel Terry Peter Nigel Terry (15 August 1945 – 30 April 2015) was an English stage, film, and television actor, typically in historical and period roles. He played Prince John in Anthony Harvey's film '' The Lion in Winter'' (1968) and King Arthur in ...

as George Fitzgerald * David Warner as Robert "Bob" Ringwald, a journalist * Simon Williams as Matthew Clasper *

Sophie Wu Sophie Wu (born 23 December 1983) is a Scottish actress. Her films include '' Kick-Ass'' (2010). On television, she is known for her roles in the BBC Three drama '' The Fades'' (2011), the E4 sitcom '' The Midnight Beast'' (2012–2014), and th ...

as Lucy

Episodes

Series 1

Series 2

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 ''The Office'' is the title of several mockumentary sitcoms based on a British series originally created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant as '' The Office'' in 2001. The original series also starred Gervais as manager and primary charac ...

''. Writing for the ''

Sunday Times ''The Sunday Times'' is a British Sunday newspaper whose circulation makes it the largest in Britain's quality press market category. It was founded in 1821 as ''The New Observer''. It is published by Times Newspapers Ltd, a subsidiary of N ...

'', Jasper Gerard called the series "one of the best pieces of television in years" and "one of the finest performances of Lumley’s 38-year career". Public reception was also positive, with people appreciating the return of Joanna Lumley and warming to the sparse comedic style.

Home media

In the UK, BBC DVD released series 1 on region 2 and 4 DVD on 16 July 2007, and series 2 on 12 May 2008. In the USA, both series were released together on region 1 DVD on 5 August 2008.

Canadian adaptation

A Canadian adaptation, starring

Kim Cattrall Kim Victoria Cattrall (; born 21 August 1956) is a British, Canadian, and American actress. She is known for her portrayal of Samantha Jones on HBO's ''Sex and the City'' (1998–2004), for which she received five Primetime Emmy Award nominati ...

Don McKellar Don McKellar (born August 17, 1963) is a Canadian actor, writer, playwright, and filmmaker. He was part of a loosely-affiliated group of filmmakers to emerge from Toronto known as the Toronto New Wave. He is known for directing and writing th ...

Elliott Gould Elliott Gould (; né Goldstein; born August 29, 1938) is an American actor. Gould's breakthrough role was in the film ''Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice'' (1969), for which he received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The ...

, and

Colm Feore Colm Joseph Feore (; born August 22, 1958) is a Canadian actor. A 15-year veteran of the Stratford Festival, he is known for his Gemini-winning turn as Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in the CBC miniseries '' Trudeau'' (2002), his portrayal of ...

, premiered in fall 2014 on

Movie Central Movie Central (occasionally abbreviated as "MC", mostly in program guides) was a Canadian English language Category A premium cable and satellite television channel that was owned by Corus Entertainment. Movie Central was designated to operat ...

and

The Movie Network Crave (formerly The Movie Network or TMN) is a Television in Canada, Canadian premium television network and Streaming service provider, streaming service owned by the Bell Media subsidiary of BCE Inc. Launched in 1983 as the national service ...

. The 6-episode first season is written by Bob Martin and directed by Don McKellar.

References

External links

*
''Sensitive Skin''
at the

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves filmmaking and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

* *{{IMDb title, id=0476940, title=Sensitive Skin 2005 British television series debuts 2007 British television series endings 2000s British comedy-drama television series BBC high definition shows British comedy-drama television shows Television shows set in London BBC television comedy British English-language television shows