A good piece of news for those who have already had the chance to appreciate it and a great opportunity for those who have not yet discovered it: Youth will be getting a second season. HBO has officially renewed the comedy created, written, and starring Sharon Horgan, the British actress and screenwriter already known for series such as Bad Sisters and Catastrophe. The eight episodes of the first season are already available for streaming on HBO Max, including in Italy.
HBO Still Bets on Sharon Horgan: Youth Will Have a Second Season
The renewal news comes after a particularly positive reception from critics and audiences: at its debut, Youth earned a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and ranked among HBO’s top five global launches for a comedy. The renewal was welcomed with enthusiasm by Horgan herself, who commented on the news with her usual irony: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have another opportunity to live out my emotional and biological crises on HBO.” The actress also thanked the audience for the response to the series and expressed gratitude for being able to work again with the cast and the creative team.
Amy Gravitt, executive vice president of programming for HBO and head of HBO and HBO Max comedy series, stated: “With her unmistakable style, Sharon has created a show that makes us laugh and cry with tears often at the same time. Each performance in Youth is brighter and more engaging than the previous one. Together with our partners at Merman, we are truly excited to reunite this extraordinary cast for a new season.”
What Youth, the HBO Comedy with Sharon Horgan, Is About
At the center of Youth is Alex, a 50-year-old divorced woman who is trying to re-enter the dating scene and rediscover a satisfying emotional and sexual life. Starting over is not easy, though: amid dates, new acquaintances, and efforts to build a relationship, she must also look after aging parents dealing with health issues, as well as manage a son who should be mature enough to stand on his own but continues to rely on her. Alongside Sharon Horgan, who plays Alex, we find Rupert Friend as Patrick, Sharlene Whyte as Sam, Aran Murphy as Ruari, Alex’s son, and Robbie Gee as Frank.
Why It’s Worth Catching Up with Youth
The strength of Youth lies above all in how it manages to tell a phase of life that is rarely depicted on television with such freedom and honesty. Sharon Horgan does not try to make her protagonist always likable or flawless: Alex is often chaotic, contradictory, impulsive, and dealing with awkward situations, but that is precisely why we like her. The series finds humor in small things that would seem scantily funny: the challenges of adult life, the relationship with children, the responsibilities toward aging parents, and the attempt to continue to feel desirable when society appears to regard “women of a certain age” as increasingly uninteresting. And it does so with a solid screenplay and strong performances. We recommend it if you’re looking for a witty, intelligent, well-written comedy.
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