sharon Horgan Opens Up about Grief, Confidence, and teh Challenges of Filming Bad Sisters Season 2
Sharon Horgan, the acclaimed creator and star of Bad Sisters, recently revealed that the production of the show’s second season was temporarily halted due to her struggle with grief following the death of her father, John Horgan, in December 2023. The London-born irish actress, known for her work on Catastrophe and Motherland, shared her emotional journey during an interview on the podcast How To Fail With Elizabeth Day.
Horgan,54,described how her personal loss deeply influenced her work on bad Sisters. “Mark,he said that he loved the episode,but (I) found it really difficult to watch,” she said,referencing her younger brother,podcast host Mark Horgan. “Everything I was feeling went into those scenes. In some ways, it’s great and cathartic, but in other ways, it feels so weird because essentially, you’re using your emotions, and it feels strange and a bit wrong.”
The actress also reflected on the toll of her profession, explaining how her “weird muscle memory” as an actor intensified her grief. “You’re experiencing heartache, grief, all thes extreme emotions, and you’re living them in that moment,” she said. “I sat with an actor playing my dad’s dying before, and that really blew my mind.”
The emotional strain became so overwhelming that production had to be paused. “It was weird going back to work. we had to shut down the production as I couldn’t,” Horgan admitted.
A Newfound Confidence in Her 50s
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Beyond her grief, Horgan spoke candidly about aging and self-assurance.“I think hormones are driving me,” she joked. “I hate the visual representation of aging,but inside I have puppy dog levels of energy.” She also acknowledged how losing a parent reshaped her perspective. “There’s a weird connection with your mortality when you lose a parent. You start thinking about things in a different way, and that’s why I’m very particular about what I work on and who I work with.”
Horgan’s newfound confidence has been a recent development. “It really is very, very recent that I’ve allowed myself to feel like I know what I’m doing,” she said. “there’s a confidence there that I really appreciate. It’s much better to feel like you should be in those rooms.”
Bad Sisters: A Critical and Emotional Success
Bad Sisters, which premiered on Apple TV+, follows the story of siblings attempting to help their sister Grace (Anne-Marie Duff) escape a controlling marriage. The series, which also stars Eva Birthistle and Sarah Greene, has been a critical darling, winning the best Drama Series award at the 2023 Bafta TV Awards. Duff also took home the supporting Actress prize for her role.
Horgan’s creative portfolio extends beyond Bad Sisters. She is the creator of HBO’s Divorce, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, and the comedies Motherland and Pulling. Her ability to blend humor with raw emotion has cemented her as one of the most compelling voices in television.
Looking Ahead
As Horgan navigates her personal and professional life, she remains focused on meaningful projects. “I’m very kind of particular about what I work on and who I work with,” she said. Her resilience and honesty continue to resonate with audiences, making her one of the most relatable figures in entertainment today.
for fans eager to hear more, How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is available now.
| Key Highlights | Details |
|—————————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Production Halt | Bad Sisters Season 2 paused due to Horgan’s grief over her father’s death.|
| Emotional Impact | Horgan channeled her grief into the show, calling it “cathartic but weird.” |
| Aging and Confidence | Horgan embraces her 50s with newfound energy and self-assurance. |
| Bad Sisters Success | Won Best Drama Series and Supporting Actress at the 2023 Bafta TV Awards. |
| Other Notable Works | Creator of Divorce, Motherland, and Pulling. |
Sharon Horgan’s journey is a testament to the power of vulnerability and resilience,both on and off the screen. Her ability to transform personal pain into compelling storytelling continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Headline: Sharon Horgan: navigating Grief, Confidence, and the Journey of ‘Bad Sisters’ Season 2
introduction: Sharon Horgan, the renowned irish actress and creator of hit shows like ‘Catastrophe’ and ‘Motherland’, recently opened up about the challenges she faced while filming the second season of her dark comedy series ‘bad Sisters’. In an interview with [Senior Editor Name], horgan discussed how she coped with grief following the loss of her father, her newfound confidence in her 50s, and the emotional rollercoaster of bringing her characters to life.
1. Grief and ‘Bad Sisters’ Season 2
Senior Editor (SE): We’re sorry to hear about your father’s passing. How did that impact the production of ‘Bad Sisters’ Season 2?
Sharon Horgan (SH): Thank you. It’s been a tough time. I found it incredibly difficult to separate my personal grief from the emotional scenes we were filming. There was this intense ‘weird muscle memory’ that kicked in, making the grief feel even more overwhelming. At one point, it became too much, and we had to pause production for a while.
SE: That must have been a challenging period. How did you channel your emotions into your work?
SH: It was cathartic in a way, but also strange. I suppose using those raw emotions to bring depth to the characters helped me process my feelings. But it was a delicate balance – I had to be mindful not to let my grief consume me completely while filming.
SE: Did you have any moments of sheer emotion on set?
SH: Yes, there was one scene where I was filming with an actor playing my dad’s dying character. That really hit me hard – it was like a punch in the gut. I had to sit down afterward, collect myself, and take a few moments before we could continue.
2. Aging and Self-Assurance
SE: You mentioned that you’ve found a new confidence in your 50s. can you tell us more about that?
SH: [Laughs] well, I think hormones have a lot to do with it! I mean, I’m not crazy about the physical changes that come with aging, but mentally, I feel more energetic, more like a puppy, than ever. I think it’s also because I’ve had to face my own mortality recently, with losing my dad. It’s made me more certain about what I want and don’t want in my life and career.
SE: That makes perfect sense. How has this newfound confidence influenced your work?
SH: It’s made me more selective about the projects I take on and the people I work with. I want to make sure my time and energy are going towards something meaningful. I’m at a point where I really appreciate the confidence I have – it’s a relief, actually.
3. The Success of ‘Bad Sisters’ and Future Plans
SE: ‘Bad Sisters’ has been a massive success, winning awards at the BAFTAs. How does it feel to see itconnect with audiences this way?
SH: It’s amazing. I’m incredibly proud of the show and the entire cast and crew. To see it resonate with audiences and be recognized with awards is justpinch-me-I’m-dreaming stuff.It’s a dark comedy with a lot of heart, and I think people respond to that.
SE: What’s next for you, Sharon? Any upcoming projects you can share with our readers?
SH: I’m currently working on a new project, but I’m being quite selective about what I take on. I want to make sure it’s something that speaks to me personally, and that I can bring my full passion and energy to. I’m also really focused on spending time with my family and taking care of myself.
SE: We’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for your next endeavor. Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us today, Sharon.
SH: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure.
