Onthebox meets the Skins cast

Speaking of innuendo, there’s plenty of it with Will ‘I want to get my nipple pierced’ Merrick (hence showing us his nipple, to see if it ‘has enough skin’ or some strange logic like that) and Alexander ‘analogy King’ Arnold. The pair are touted as the new comedy duo of the show and have a natural banter together off screen too…
Was there any romance on set?
Alex: No there wasn’t actually. (To Will) I mean, with me and you there wasn’t – luckily.
Will: We’ve woken up in bed together a few times wearing a sailor’s hat…
Alex (through mock gritted teeth): “Don’t say that”
What sort of things did they get you to do in the audition?
Alex (mock serious): Literally – naked… No, they didn’t. Just like, a bit of script. The opening audition was an improv. (Turns to Will) Apparently your one was really funny?
Will: What was?
Alex: Your improv. What I’ve just been talking about …
Will: I wasn’t listening.
Alex: Great.
Who got the raw deal when it came to embarrassing scenes?
Alex (to Will): It was you but it was like, cut quite fine… Well it wasn’t necessarily (with) a kitchen knife, it was probably a machete.
I see in the character synopsis that Alo’s favourite hobbies are listed as ‘weed and wanking?’ Now there’s something to tell your mum…
Will (insisting): He’s much deeper than that.
Alex: Shallow Alo!
Will: He’s just a teenage boy, he likes weed and wanking – who doesn’t?
How would you describe the relationship between Rich and Alo?
Alex: Like a puppy and its owner… I’m definitely the owner.
Will (agreeing): Yeah.
Alex: The thing is with a puppy and an owner, it can sort of switch round, the dog can bite its owner can’t it? I think that’s a good analogy isn’t it? That’s a great analogy. I’m great. Let’s just go with ‘I’m great’.
Two of the most successful people to have come out of Skins are Dev Patel and Nicholas Hoult. If you had to choose anyone from the cast who is destined for Hollywood, who would it be?
Both in unison: Freya Mavor!
Will: Freya is gonna do massive things; she’s so good. She’s so professional and determined.
Alex: She speaks French as well.
Will: She’s really fit as well.
So there you have it. The Skins cast, live in the flesh and coming to an E4 screen near you (Thursday 27th Jan, 10pm to be precise).
All that’s left to find out, is what will they be buying with their first pay cheques? Ever serious in their responses, Alex answers, “probably a packet of wine gums” while Will opts for, “a drum stick”.
That’s teenagers for you – easily pleased.

Labels: Alexander Arnold , Brand New , entrevistas , interview , Skins season 5 , Will Merrick