# Sharon Horgan's 'Youth' Comedy Review

> Sharon Horgan's HBO comedy 'Youth' offers a breezy take on middle age with a 50-year-old protagonist navigating love, family and publishing.
- Title: Sharon Horgan's 'Youth' Comedy Review · Variety | Shortify
- Summary: Sharon Horgan's HBO comedy 'Youth' offers a breezy take on middle age with a 50-year-old protagonist navigating love, family and publishing. Sharon Horgan's…
- Keywords: sharon horgan, hbo, youth, comedy, middle age, rom-com, publishing industry, alex, pat, rauri, hbo max, september 20
- Source: Variety — https://variety.com/2026/tv/reviews/youth-review-sharon-horgan-hbo-1236866119
- Author: Alison Herman
- Published: 2026-09-20T15:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sharon horgan, hbo, youth, comedy, middle age, rom-com, publishing industry, alex, pat, rauri, hbo max, september 20
## Alex, 50, starts new chapter
Alex, the 50-year-old protagonist of HBO's 'Youth', has a glamorous job in London with an enviable apartment but a messy love life.
## HBO's 'Youth' title is ironic
HBO's 'Youth' title is ironic as Alex, a 50-year-old woman, faces middle age challenges rather than typical rom-com leads.
## Alex's family situation
Alex is divorced with a teenage son Rauri who is about to leave home, creating a blank canvas for her life.
## Alex's hormonal challenges
Alex experiences perimenopause, leading to hormonal mood swings similar to high schoolers.
## Horgan's creative trilogy
Sharon Horgan's 'Youth' completes a trilogy with her BBC series 'Pulling' and 'Catastrophe', mapping her own biography.
## Alex's publishing career
Alex works with her friend Sam in the publishing industry, dealing with author egos and competitors.
## Alex's dating life
Alex dates Pat, an 'institutionally single' old flame with a younger girlfriend, and explores age-gap relationships.
## Alex's self-image
Alex sharpens her self-image by being old enough to look down on age-inappropriate arm candy and young enough for a discriminating libido.
## Season premiere date
The first two episodes of 'Youth' premiere on HBO and HBO Max on September 20 at 10pm ET.
## Key takeaway

Sharon Horgan's HBO comedy 'Youth' follows a 50-year-old woman navigating love, family and publishing in a light-hearted take on middle age.