Sensitive Skin is a BBC television comedy-drama series, produced by Baby Cow Productions for BBC Two. It stars Joanna Lumley 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.
The first series is about an affluent couple, Al and Davina Jackson, who live in metropolitan London. 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.
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.
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.[citation needed] Writing for the Sunday Times, 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".[1]
Public reception was also positive, with people appreciating the return of Joanna Lumley and warming to the sparse comedic style.[2]
In the UK, BBC DVD released series 1 on region 2 and 4 DVD on 16 July 2007,[3] and series 2 on 12 May 2008.[4] In the USA, both series were released together on region 1 DVD on 5 August 2008.[5]
A Canadian adaptation, starring Kim Cattrall, Don McKellar, Elliott Gould, and Colm Feore, premiered in fall 2014 on Movie Central and The Movie Network.[6] The 6-episode first season is written by Bob Martin and directed by Don McKellar.[6]