Sharon Horgan’s new eight-part comedy series *Youth* on HBO Max and Now continues her exploration of modern female life, completing a loose thematic trilogy that began with *Pulling* and continued with *Catastrophe*. Known for blending sharp humor with an unflinching look at relationships and personal growth, Horgan serves as creator, co-writer, and star of the series.

In *Youth*, Horgan portrays Alex, a single literary agent in her fifties grappling with the transitions marking middle age. With her son heading off to university and her parents facing health challenges, Alex confronts the pressures of aging, candidly expressing anxieties about her waning sexual life. The show introduces two romantic interests representing contrasting stages of life: Patrick, a younger man played by Rupert Friend, and Michael, an older suitor in his late sixties portrayed by Tim McInnerny, who elicits a mix of attraction and age-related apprehension from Alex.

The series maintains Horgan’s signature candidness by exposing the imperfections and contradictions of its characters. It also takes a satirical jab at the literary scene, featuring cameo appearances such as Damian Lewis portraying an author pitching a social satire titled *Dog Meat*, as well as a fictional romantasy novel called *The Goblin Seed*. Aran Murphy, cast as Alex’s son, delivers a performance that balances humor with cultural critiques, drawing on “manosphere” themes without losing comic nuance.

While *Youth* occasionally veers toward a polished, glossy tone that slightly tempers its sharpest edges, it nonetheless offers moments of pointed wit and incisive commentary. Horgan’s ability to infuse her dialogue with brief but biting observations — such as Alex’s condemnation of the romantasy author as “a creepy middle-back toucher” — showcases the series’ blend of humor and critique.

Overall, *Youth* continues Horgan’s track record of producing engaging, thought-provoking comedy dramas centered on contemporary women’s experiences. Though some viewers may wish for more frequent bursts of the darker humor that defined her earlier work, the series remains a compelling addition to her oeuvre.