Sharon Horgan Finds Her Confidence with Bad Sisters Season 2
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Award-winning Irish actress, writer, and producer Sharon Horgan has finally found her creative confidence — and it came after the second season of Bad Sisters. Speaking candidly at the renowned Hay Festival, Horgan shared how it wasn’t until the success of the Apple TV+ hit show’s second season that she truly felt she belonged in the creative space she’d been thriving in for years.
Despite a long and successful career that includes fan-favorite sitcoms like Catastrophe, Motherland, and Pulling, Horgan revealed that she often struggled with imposter syndrome. “I used to think maybe I was just lucky — that I was in the right place, surrounded by the right people,” she said. “But Bad Sisters changed that. It finally felt like mine — like I truly belonged in that room.”
The Power of Bad Sisters
Bad Sisters is a darkly comic drama based on the Belgian series Clan, following a group of sisters plotting to kill their abusive brother-in-law. The show quickly gained critical acclaim for its unique blend of suspense, wit, and emotional depth. For Horgan, who serves as executive producer, writer, and lead actor, the show was a turning point — creatively and personally.
Its success marked a milestone in Horgan’s journey, cementing her reputation not only as a talented performer but as a storyteller capable of anchoring complex, female-driven narratives. “Even though it’s a team effort, this one felt like my voice — like my story,” she reflected.
A Career Carved by Resilience
Before Bad Sisters, Sharon Horgan’s path was anything but smooth. She started writing simply because she couldn’t find acting roles — an experience that shaped her early work. Her breakthrough came with Pulling, a BBC Three comedy co-written with Dennis Kelly, which focused on flawed, relatable women navigating chaotic love lives. At the time, female-led comedies were rare.
“There was this idea that if one female-led show got picked up, others wouldn’t. Like there was a quota,” Horgan recalled. Still, she pressed on, juggling odd jobs like waitressing and facing multiple unsuccessful pilots before meeting Rob Delaney on Twitter. That chance encounter birthed the hit Channel 4 series Catastrophe — a brutally honest take on modern relationships, parenting, and the struggle to stay in love.
Capturing the Chaos of Motherhood
Motherhood has been a recurring theme in Horgan’s writing. With Motherland, which she created alongside Holly Walsh and Graham Linehan, she explored the unglamorous side of parenting among middle-class mums (and one dad). From chaotic school runs to existential isolation in playgrounds, the series resonated with audiences for its authenticity.
“I was living that life — pushing a pram through the park, wondering why I didn’t belong,” Horgan shared. “Writing Motherland was about finding my people — other misfits, other outsiders.” The show, which ran for three seasons, two Christmas specials, and a recent spin-off (Amandaland), became a cultural touchstone for many women navigating the pressures of motherhood and social expectation.
Embracing Perfectionism — With Caution
Horgan admits that her drive for perfection sometimes clashes with collaboration. As a creator who wears multiple hats — writer, actor, director, producer — she finds it hard to delegate. “I’ve been called out on it,” she laughed. “A big star once asked me, ‘Do you think you can do everyone’s job better?’ And honestly, I kind of did!”
But with time and success, she’s learned to lean on others. “It’s about trusting the team around you — and not trying to control every moment.”
Her Favorite Character? Herself — Kind Of
When asked which of her characters she most relates to, Horgan named Sharon Morris from Catastrophe. “She was flawed, selfish at times, but honest — she said all the things I never could,” she explained. “Writing gave me a voice. It let me say the things I was afraid to out loud.”
That honesty, both in her writing and her interviews, is part of what makes Sharon Horgan such a vital force in modern television. Through flawed, deeply human characters and stories that tackle love, loss, and the messiness in between, she continues to break new ground for women in comedy.
What’s Next for Sharon Horgan?
With her confidence fully ignited and her storytelling sharper than ever, fans can expect even more fearless, funny, and emotionally rich work from Sharon Horgan. Whether it’s a return to Bad Sisters, a new comedy about motherhood, or a genre-defying drama, one thing’s clear: she’s only just getting started.
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