HBO has officially renewed ‘Youth‘, the acclaimed comedy series created by and starring Sharon Horgan (‘Bad Sisters’, ‘Catastrophe’), for a second season. The news follows a hugely successful debut for the series, which has quickly become one of HBO’s biggest comedy launches globally. Clearly, there’s plenty more midlife chaos to explore!
Created, written and executive produced by Horgan, ‘Youth’ follows Alex, a 50-year-old divorcee attempting to rediscover sex and romance while simultaneously juggling the demands of her ageing parents, her career, and a son who really should have figured out how to be a grown-up by now.
It’s the sort of gloriously messy, painfully relatable territory that Horgan has made her speciality, mixing sharp, occasionally outrageous comedy with genuinely heartfelt moments about relationships, family and the complicated business of getting older.
The first season stars Sharon Horgan as Alex, alongside Rupert Friend (‘Homeland’, ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’) as Patrick, Sharlene Whyte (‘Small Axe’) as Sam, Aran Murphy as Ruari, and Robbie Gee (‘Desmond’s’) as Frank.
Speaking about the renewal, Horgan was characteristically delighted, and wonderfully candid!
“I’m so happy to get another opportunity to live out my emotional and biological crises on HBO. I can’t think of a better platform to air my UTI problems on. The response to YOUTH has been beyond what I could have hoped for. I’m so grateful for the response and the chance to work with this incredible cast and creative team once more.”
The renewal is hardly surprising given the show’s impressive performance. According to HBO, ‘Youth’ ranks among its top five comedy launches globally, while its debut season has earned widespread critical acclaim, including a 97% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Critics have been particularly enthusiastic about Horgan’s ability to balance comedy with emotional honesty. TIME described the series as “spit-takingly funny”, while The Guardian called it “mesmerisingly perfect”. Meanwhile, Variety praised Horgan as a “magnetic screen presence and a sharp comic writer”.
Amy Gravitt, EVP of HBO Programming and Head of HBO & HBO Max Comedy Series, added:
“In a way that only she can, Sharon has created a show that makes us howl with laughter and with tears – often in the same moment. Each performance in Youth is more delightful than the next. Along with our partners at Merman, we are so thrilled to have this brilliant ensemble back for another season.”
The series is produced by Merman, the production company behind acclaimed shows including ‘Amandaland’, ‘Bad Sisters’ and ‘Vladimir’. Horgan executive produces alongside Faye Dorn for Merman, Jim Kleverweis and Dawn Shadforth, who also directs.
With its combination of awkward relationships, family complications and Horgan’s wonderfully unfiltered approach to life after 50, there’s certainly no shortage of material for another season. And given the enthusiastic response to the first eight episodes, audiences clearly aren’t ready to say goodbye to Alex just yet.
A premiere date for ‘Youth‘ Season 2 has not yet been announced. All eight episodes of Season 1 are available to stream in the UK on HBO Max and NOW.
If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
Login to Geektown