When did Mitch Hewer get acting lessons?

Throughout series 1 of Skins Maxxie didn't really say or do much except dance around and look pretty. I thought maybe they just had him in there as the token gay character.

This season however is turning into the Maxxie show. So far the first 2 episodes have been all about Maxxie and Mitch has suddenly become an actor. I am well impressed and wondering if they sent him on an intense drama course in the time between filming the first and second seasons.