She writes women who feel real. Her work is shaking up TV.
Nov 14, 2024
auto_awesome
Sharon Horgan, an award-winning actress and writer known for her sharp humor in shows like Catastrophe and Bad Sisters, discusses her unique approach to creating authentic female characters. She delves into the intricate balance of comedy and drama, and the societal challenges faced by women, particularly during menopause. Horgan also reflects on the evolution of storytelling in her latest work, exploring themes of family dynamics and the impact of personal experiences on her writing. It’s a candid conversation about the complexities of womanhood.
Sharon Horgan advocates for authentic representation of women's experiences in media, emphasizing the need for diverse voices to enhance storytelling.
In 'Bad Sisters', Horgan skillfully balances comedy with serious themes like domestic abuse, making difficult topics more relatable for audiences.
Deep dives
The Need for Authentic Representation
Sharon Horgan emphasizes the importance of authentic representation of women's stories in the film and television industry. She highlights the necessity of diversifying voices in storytelling to create richer, more engaging narratives. As demonstrated in her letter 'Dear Men,' she challenges the industry to move beyond repetitive storylines and embrace unique perspectives. Horgan argues that this shift not only enriches the content but also benefits the industry economically by appealing to a wider audience.
Balancing Comedy with Serious Issues
Horgan discusses the delicate balance between comedy and the portrayal of serious themes, particularly in her show 'Bad Sisters'. The series tackles domestic abuse subtly interwoven with humor, making the grim subject matter more relatable and accessible. By using comedy, Horgan believes that the audience is more receptive to recognizing the nuances of abusive relationships. This approach allows for genuine depictions of serious issues while still entertaining and engaging viewers.
Personal Experiences Shaping Creative Work
Horgan draws from her own experiences and those of others to inform her writing, enabling her to craft authentic female characters across various stages of life. Her past hardships and observations of friends have influenced the diverse stories she tells, reflecting complex realities faced by women. She notes the significance of embracing new creative challenges, as seen in her shift to darker themes in 'Bad Sisters,' showcasing her growth as a writer. This commitment to authenticity and exploration has resulted in relatable narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.
Sharon Horgan has spent decades creating hilarious TV and compelling women characters at every stage of life. In the BBC comedy Pulling, she captured the confusion of early adulthood. Young parenthood was the subject of Amazon Prime’s Catastrophe. And HBO’s Divorce, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, focused on the dissolution of a marriage. Her latest project, Bad Sisters, premieres its second season this week on Apple TV+. Horgan sits down with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to talk about bringing realistic women onscreen, the delicate balance of writing comedy and drama, and why menopause might be the most challenging life stage of all.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode