"Skins Rise" focuses on the character of James Cook (Jack O'Connell).
Once a hedonistic womaniser and troublemaker in the third and fourth series of Skins, Cook was last seen fighting his friend Freddie's murderer, the outcome of which was left as a cliff-hanger.
In the present day, Cook is living in Manchester, remaining under the radar from the authorities and society at large.
However, he is noticeably more subdued and serious, clearly harrowed by the events of his past and he makes his living peddling drugs in Manchester’s criminal underworld.
Having spent years on the run after killing John Foster, his friend Freddie's murderer, Cook sleeps in his car, and routinely has sex with Emma, his friend-with-benefits.
Charlie jumps into the swimming pool of a house they inspect, but Cook refuses to join.
After consuming a pill given to Emma by Jason, Cook spots Charlie dancing in the crowd.
Emma finds Cook in a state, and takes him back to her flat to clean him up.
He states he is planning to "streamline" his operation and Rob brutally drowns Jason in the swimming pool.
As they are driving out of Manchester, Cook gets a call from a traumatised Charlie, who begs him to pick her up from the nearby bus station.
As they wait for morning, Charlie resolves to kill Louie but Cook refuses.
Cook and Charlie's search leads them to an empty field where Louie is waiting for them with a gun, with Emma's dead body hanging by a noose from a nearby tree.
Part 1 received favourable reviews, with Caroline Preece of Den of Geek commenting that "those who loved the character are still going to find Rise a compelling watch.