DBR on 610
The end is nigh for Skins generation three, and everybody's freaking out about their future in tonight's final episode of the series. That is except for Franky, who's delving into her past and trying to avoid choosing between brothers-turned-love rivals Nick and Matty.
We caught up with Dakota Blue Richards, who plays Franky, and got the lowdown on what we can expect from the conclusion of series six.
Can you give us a quick overview of the final episode?
"Episode ten is really about tying everyone's storylines up and bringing the characters to a point where they will be able to move on and have the rest of their lives. What Franky needs to do to find that point is really sort out her priorities, look at where her problems lie and just deal with them.
"One of her problems that's always been a part of her and influenced her relationships with other cast members is the fact that she feels as though she was abandoned by her mother. And so what she decides to do is really go back to the root of all her problems. She thinks there's something wrong with her, so she wants to find out exactly why her mother didn't want to keep her and understand why she keeps getting herself in all these problems with everybody else."
How is Franky coping with Mini's baby news at the start of the episode?
"Franky really has a realisation at the end of [last week's] episode that her issues around Mini's baby stem from issues around herself, so she decides on the spur of the moment that that's what she's going to do, she's going to go back and find her mom.
"Although at the end of episode nine she felt a bit abandoned by Mini because there was a sense that she was doing more bad than good, I don't think Franky feels any resentment. She wants what's best for Mini and if what's best for Mini is being with her mom and being with Alo, then that's what she wants for h
She's also in a bit of pickle with Nick and Matty, will we see that love triangle resolved?
"Yes, you will see that resolved, perhaps not in the way that you think. Franky in that moment seeks guidance from the person that she sees as being most honest and loving.
"She uses their advice and kind of comes to the realisation that actually the situation they're in isn't good for any of them and none of them want to be in it. It's not necessarily a case of choosing between them, it's not that simple."
What is going on with the rest of the gang in this episode? Can you give us some teasers?
"Obviously, [the] last episode left things in not a nice place for a lot of characters. Mini and Alo, they are the sweetheart couple of this series and things have never been easy for them, but you can't have a sweetheart couple without a happy ending.
"Nick and Matty will have to resolve their differences at some point because they're brothers and blood is thicker than water. They'll have to work that through and that's not something that's necessarily complete by the end of the episode, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.
"There's a couple of scenes right at the end, especially the ones with Rich, that made me sob - they're so beautiful. I'm really excited to see it."
How would you say Franky feels about the events of this series? Does she have regrets?
"Yeah, I think she probably doesn't look on everything that's happened this series with kind of rosy glasses. It's been a very dark time for her, it's by no means been easy. But I think Franky is probably one of those people who understands that bad things that happen in life can shape you as a person, and I think she would probably do it all again if she had the choice.
"You can't have the high points in your life if you don't have the lows as well. Her biggest regret is probably Grace and I think she will definitely feel guilt about that for a long time. I think at the end of the episode she will definitely come to terms with how she felt about Grace."
You've been at the center of some of the most controversial storylines of the series - were you a bit apprehensive coming into filming?
"I did enjoy the challenge of it. My episode in particular I really enjoyed shooting, but I wouldn't say it was easy. I think when you play a part for as long as I was playing Franky and when their storyline is that intense, I found myself relating to her quite closely.
"And without wanting to delve too deep, I have been in situations when I've felt the same way she has and there are points in my life when I can relate to her. That made it more difficult definitely, but I did really enjoy it and the chance to have made something that I'm proud of is priceless really."
She's been a bit unhinged this series, did you enjoy playing that side of her? It must be quite difficult getting yourself into the mindset
"Yeah, it is. But it's also fun. That's why I really like acting, because you get to do things that you wouldn't get to do in normal life.
"I get to do all the acting slightly crazed and being a bit of an idiot and getting in fights without ever actually having any of the bad effects of it. I'm going to miss her a lot, actually."
Why should viewers tune in for the series finale?
"Because it's an 'everyone' episode - your favorite character will be in it. Even Matty's back for a bit and, although maybe I shouldn't say it, Grace. I think it's a good episode.
"One of the things I really liked was actually they changed the group dynamics quite a lot and they paired people up quite differently. And there's some new characters who play a big part in Franky's life. This episode will tie up everything that's happened this series and explain quite a lot about who we are as people in terms of our characters." Source
We caught up with Dakota Blue Richards, who plays Franky, and got the lowdown on what we can expect from the conclusion of series six.
Can you give us a quick overview of the final episode?
"Episode ten is really about tying everyone's storylines up and bringing the characters to a point where they will be able to move on and have the rest of their lives. What Franky needs to do to find that point is really sort out her priorities, look at where her problems lie and just deal with them.
"One of her problems that's always been a part of her and influenced her relationships with other cast members is the fact that she feels as though she was abandoned by her mother. And so what she decides to do is really go back to the root of all her problems. She thinks there's something wrong with her, so she wants to find out exactly why her mother didn't want to keep her and understand why she keeps getting herself in all these problems with everybody else."
How is Franky coping with Mini's baby news at the start of the episode?
"Franky really has a realisation at the end of [last week's] episode that her issues around Mini's baby stem from issues around herself, so she decides on the spur of the moment that that's what she's going to do, she's going to go back and find her mom.
"Although at the end of episode nine she felt a bit abandoned by Mini because there was a sense that she was doing more bad than good, I don't think Franky feels any resentment. She wants what's best for Mini and if what's best for Mini is being with her mom and being with Alo, then that's what she wants for h
She's also in a bit of pickle with Nick and Matty, will we see that love triangle resolved?
"Yes, you will see that resolved, perhaps not in the way that you think. Franky in that moment seeks guidance from the person that she sees as being most honest and loving.
"She uses their advice and kind of comes to the realisation that actually the situation they're in isn't good for any of them and none of them want to be in it. It's not necessarily a case of choosing between them, it's not that simple."
What is going on with the rest of the gang in this episode? Can you give us some teasers?
"Obviously, [the] last episode left things in not a nice place for a lot of characters. Mini and Alo, they are the sweetheart couple of this series and things have never been easy for them, but you can't have a sweetheart couple without a happy ending.
"Nick and Matty will have to resolve their differences at some point because they're brothers and blood is thicker than water. They'll have to work that through and that's not something that's necessarily complete by the end of the episode, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.
"There's a couple of scenes right at the end, especially the ones with Rich, that made me sob - they're so beautiful. I'm really excited to see it."
How would you say Franky feels about the events of this series? Does she have regrets?
"Yeah, I think she probably doesn't look on everything that's happened this series with kind of rosy glasses. It's been a very dark time for her, it's by no means been easy. But I think Franky is probably one of those people who understands that bad things that happen in life can shape you as a person, and I think she would probably do it all again if she had the choice.
"You can't have the high points in your life if you don't have the lows as well. Her biggest regret is probably Grace and I think she will definitely feel guilt about that for a long time. I think at the end of the episode she will definitely come to terms with how she felt about Grace."
You've been at the center of some of the most controversial storylines of the series - were you a bit apprehensive coming into filming?
"I did enjoy the challenge of it. My episode in particular I really enjoyed shooting, but I wouldn't say it was easy. I think when you play a part for as long as I was playing Franky and when their storyline is that intense, I found myself relating to her quite closely.
"And without wanting to delve too deep, I have been in situations when I've felt the same way she has and there are points in my life when I can relate to her. That made it more difficult definitely, but I did really enjoy it and the chance to have made something that I'm proud of is priceless really."
She's been a bit unhinged this series, did you enjoy playing that side of her? It must be quite difficult getting yourself into the mindset
"Yeah, it is. But it's also fun. That's why I really like acting, because you get to do things that you wouldn't get to do in normal life.
"I get to do all the acting slightly crazed and being a bit of an idiot and getting in fights without ever actually having any of the bad effects of it. I'm going to miss her a lot, actually."
Why should viewers tune in for the series finale?
"Because it's an 'everyone' episode - your favorite character will be in it. Even Matty's back for a bit and, although maybe I shouldn't say it, Grace. I think it's a good episode.
"One of the things I really liked was actually they changed the group dynamics quite a lot and they paired people up quite differently. And there's some new characters who play a big part in Franky's life. This episode will tie up everything that's happened this series and explain quite a lot about who we are as people in terms of our characters." Source