Created by Sharon Horgan.
Youth premiered on September 20, 2026, on HBO in the United States.
Distributed by Warner Bros. Television Distribution.
Youth (2026) TV Series Review
Youth (2026) is a relatable comedy-drama starring Sharon Horgan as Alex, a divorced woman navigating middle age, complicated family responsibilities, and the uncertainty of dating again.
While managing her career as a literary agent, Alex also cares for her ageing parents and deals with the challenges of raising her adult son.
The series balances sharp humour with emotional moments, offering an honest look at relationships, personal growth, and the realities of getting older.
Supported by a strong ensemble cast, Youth delivers an entertaining story about second chances and rediscovering yourself when life takes an unexpected turn.
CR Rating: 8/10.
Youth Actors
Sharon Horgan as Alex
DOB: July 13, 1970.
Irish actress, writer, comedian, and producer known for creating character-driven comedies that explore relationships, family tensions, and the messy realities of adulthood.
She grew up in Ireland and later built her career in British television, developing a distinctive style that combines dry humour with emotional honesty.
Role: Alex is a 50-year-old divorced literary agent who finds herself reconsidering the direction of her life.
While managing her professional responsibilities and the demands of caring for her ageing parents, she is also trying to navigate dating and her relationship with her adult son, Ruarí.
Episodes: 8.
Interesting facts: Horgan co-created Catastrophe with Rob Delaney and founded Merman, the production company behind several television projects.
Notable Works: Catastrophe, Bad Sisters, Pulling, Motherland, This Way Up.
Libby Mai as Plum
DOB: N/A.
Libby Mai is an actress, director, and producer whose screen work includes contemporary British television.
She has appeared in projects featuring young adult characters and ensemble casts, building experience across comedy and drama.
Role: Plum is a character in Youth, the comedy-drama created by Sharon Horgan.
The series follows Alex, a divorced woman navigating dating, work, and family responsibilities while caring for her ageing parents and her adult son.
Episodes: 6.
Interesting facts: Mai has also worked behind the camera as a director and producer, in addition to acting.
Notable Works: Pushers, We Are Lady Parts, Midsomer Murders, The Chelsea Detective.
Rupert Friend as Patrick
DOB: October 9, 1981.
English actor, director, and screenwriter who gained international recognition through period dramas and television thrillers.
Born in Cambridge, England, he developed a career characterised by performances that combine restraint with intensity.
Role: Patrick is a romantic interest of Alex, the divorced literary agent played by Sharon Horgan.
Alex jokingly nicknames him “Ex-Pat,” reflecting their playful connection.
As their relationship develops, Patrick becomes part of Alex’s complicated efforts to navigate dating, intimacy, and life after divorce.
Episodes: 5.
Interesting facts: Friend has also written and directed short films, including Steve (2010).
Notable Works: The Libertine, Pride & Prejudice, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, The Young Victoria, Homeland, The Death of Stalin.
Sharlene Whyte as Sam
DOB: May 19, 1976.
English actress born in Nottingham, England.
She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), graduating in 1999, and has built an extensive career in British television, film, and drama.
Whyte is known for taking on roles in stories exploring family relationships, social issues, and personal struggles.
Role: Sam is Alex’s boss and close friend in Youth.
As the head of the literary agency where Alex works, she shares a professional relationship with Alex that extends into their personal lives.
Sam offers advice and support as Alex navigates dating, family responsibilities, and the challenges of middle age.
Episodes: 5.
Interesting facts: Whyte studied at RADA from 1996 to 1999 before continuing her acting career.
Notable Works: The Story of Tracy Beaker, Waterloo Road, Stephen, Casualty.
Aran Murphy as Ruarí Flynn
DOB: N/A.
Aran Murphy is an Irish actor whose screen credits include contemporary film and television productions.
His work has brought him into stories involving young people, family relationships, and the challenges of growing up.
Role: Ruarí is Alex’s 19-year-old son, whose struggle to become independent is a major part of Youth.
His decisions and behaviour often add pressure to Alex’s already complicated life as she balances work, caring for her ageing parents, and trying to resume dating.
Episodes: 5.
Interesting facts: Murphy appears in Klara and the Sun, the 2026 adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel directed by Taika Waititi.
Notable Works: Klara and the Sun, LOLA.
Robbie Gee as Frank
DOB: March 24, 1970.
English actor known for his work in British television, film, theatre, and comedy.
Gee has also collaborated with comedian and broadcaster Eddie Nestor on comedy and entertainment projects.
Role: Frank is Sam’s husband and works as a bartender.
Through his marriage to Sam and his connections with Alex’s circle, he forms part of the social network surrounding the main characters.
Episodes: 3.
Interesting facts: Gee and Eddie Nestor have collaborated as a comedy duo and worked together on television and live entertainment projects.
Notable Works: Desmond’s, The Real McCoy, Snatch, Underworld, Paddington 2.
Douglas Hodge as Malcolm Hammond
DOB: February 25, 1960.
English actor, director, and composer known for his extensive work in theatre, television, and film.
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and has performed in productions at major British theatres, including the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Role: Malcolm Hammond is an author connected to Alex’s professional life as a literary agent.
Their relationship becomes strained because Alex previously dropped him as a client, leaving him with a grievance.
Episodes: 3.
Interesting facts: Hodge has won major British theatre awards and is also an accomplished stage director and musician.
Notable Works: Penny Dreadful, The Great, Joker, Lost in Space, Catastrophe.
Owen McDonnell as Lorcan
DOB: 1974.
Irish actor born in Galway, Ireland.
He moved to London in 1996 to study at the Central School of Speech and Drama and developed his career through theatre before establishing himself in film and television.
Role: Lorcan is Alex’s ex-husband and Ruarí’s father in Youth.
He is an actor whose decision to relocate to Canada for a television project creates another change in the family’s circumstances.
Although their marriage has ended, Lorcan remains connected to Alex through their son.
Episodes: 3.
Interesting facts: McDonnell is a fluent Irish-language speaker and has performed on stage in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Notable Works: Single-Handed, True Detective, Killing Eve, Bad Sisters.
Jim Caesar as Dylan
DOB: N/A.
Jim Caesar is an actor credited as Dylan in the 2026 HBO comedy-drama series Youth.
Publicly available information about his early life, education, acting training, and personal background is limited.
Role: Caesar plays Dylan, a supporting character in the first season.
The available cast listings confirm the character’s name and his involvement in multiple episodes, but provide little verified detail about Dylan’s background or his exact relationship to Alex.
Episodes: 3.
Interesting facts: Caesar’s role as Dylan is documented in both IMDb’s cast listing and TVmaze’s guest-cast information for the series premiere, “Lockjaw.”
Notable Works: Havoc, Big Boys.
Caroline Lawrie as Sandra
DOB: N/A.
Caroline Lawrie is an actress credited as part of the ensemble cast of Youth.
Her listing in the series establishes her participation in the 2026 production, although the available sources do not provide an extensive professional biography.
Role: Lawrie plays Sandra, a supporting character who appears in several episodes.
Her role forms part of the broader ensemble that helps populate Alex’s professional and personal world.
Episodes: 3.
Interesting facts: Rayner played Princess in Trying and Alice in Silverpoint. Her credits also include the film Your Fault: London.
Notable Works: Letters to Lisa, Wednesday.
Freddie Meredith as Freddie
DOB: October 1, 1994.
English actor and comedian who graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 2015.
Meredith has worked in theatre and comedy, building a career across television, stage productions, and live performance.
Role: Meredith plays Freddie, a supporting character in the series.
His appearances contribute to the wider collection of relationships and interactions that surround Alex and the other central characters.
Episodes: 3.
Interesting facts: Meredith graduated from RADA in 2015 and was nominated for Best Male Comedy Performance at the 2024 Royal Television Society Programme Awards for his work in Such Brave Girls.
Notable Works: The Crown, Andor, Big Boys, Such Brave Girls, Chivalry, A Whole Lifetime with Jamie Demetriou.
Scarlett Rayner as Bridget
DOB: March 19, 2003.
English actress whose screen credits include television dramas and comedy series.
She played Princess in the Apple TV+ comedy Trying and has appeared in Silverpoint, the British science-fiction series, as Alice.
Role: Bridget is a supporting character in Youth, a series following Alex, a divorced literary agent balancing her romantic life, demanding work, and family responsibilities.
Episodes: 3.
Interesting facts: Rayner played Princess in Trying and Alice in Silverpoint. Her credits also include the film Your Fault: London.
Notable Works: Trying, Silverpoint, Your Fault: London, The Gatehouse, Indweller.
More Actors
• Anne Reid as Charlotte Arbor.
• Nadia Parkes as Cara.
• Harriet Walter as Livonia Arbor.
• Freddie Fox as Grayson.
FAQ – Youth (2026) TV SeriesWhat is Youth (2026) about?
What is Youth (2026) about?
Youth follows Alex, a 50-year-old divorced literary agent navigating dating, caring for her ageing parents, and raising her 19-year-old son, Ruari. The comedy-drama explores the challenges of middle age, relationships, and rediscovering personal happiness.
What genre is Youth?
Youth is a comedy-drama that blends romantic comedy, family drama, and mature humour. It explores dating, ageing, parenthood, and the pressures of balancing personal needs with family responsibilities.
Is Youth based on a true story?
The series is presented as a fictional comedy-drama. Its themes reflect relatable experiences of midlife, dating, and caring for family, but it is not advertised as a direct adaptation of a true story.
How many episodes are in Youth Season 1?
Season 1 is scheduled to contain eight episodes, with new episodes released weekly after the first two premiered.
Where can I watch Youth (2026)?
You can watch Youth on HBO and stream it on HBO Max in supported regions. Availability may vary by country.
Conclusion
Youth (2026) delivers a funny and heartfelt look at middle age, family responsibilities, and second chances.
With Sharon Horgan leading a talented cast, the series is a relatable choice for viewers who enjoy character-driven comedy-dramas.