Everything you need to know about Youth — Sharon Horgan and Aran Murphy’s new series

Sharon Horgan’s Youth comes to HBO next month with Aran Murphy starring as her character's son. Murphy is the son of Academy Award-winning Cork actor Cillian Murphy

Sharon Horgan as Alex in Youth. Picture: Colin Hutton/HBO.

A first look at Irish stars Sharon Horgan and Aran Murphy in the new HBO comedy, Youth, created by Horgan and produced through her production company Merman, has been revealed.

Ahead of its release next month, here's what you need to know.

When will the series premiere?

Youth will premiere on HBO Max on September 20.

In March of this year, Warner Bros confirmed that HBO Max would launch in Ireland, allowing Irish audiences to watch some of their favourite shows.

Rupert Friend and Sharon Horgan in Youth. Picture: Colin Hutton/HBO

Who will star in the series?

Youth stars Horgan as Alex, a 50-year-old London literary agent attempting to find sex, love and happiness while navigating her divorce, caring for ageing parents and supporting her troubled teenage son Ruari, played by Aran Murphy.

Murphy, the son of Academy Award-winning actor Cillian Murphy, previously appeared in the film Lola and can next be seen in Taika Waititi’s Klara and the Sun, alongside Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams, as well as the HBO series War.

Aran Murphy, son of Cillian Murphy

Sharlene Whyte, Robbie Gee and Rupert Friend also star in the series, which Horgan writes, stars in and executive produces. Faye Dorn of Merman, Jim Kleverweis and director Dawn Shadforth are also serving as executive producers

What is the series about?

The series follows Alex, whose actor ex-husband is preparing to move abroad with a younger woman, while her best friend and boss Sam (Sharlene Whyte) tries to introduce her to older men. 

Alex, however, remains drawn to Patrick (Rupert Friend), the Scotsman who appears better suited to a casual relationship than a longer-term commitment.

Sharon Horgan and Sharlene Whyte in Youth. Picture: Colin Hutton/HBO

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Horgan, known for creating and starring in Bad Sisters and Catastrophe, said she had wanted to explore the realities of middle-aged womanhood for several years.

The series also examines the online influences shaping teenage boys through the character of Ruari, who is struggling emotionally and being fed distorted ideas of masculinity online.

The new series, which will premiere on September 20, will mark Horgan’s return to the network after she created and executive produced Divorce, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, which ran for three seasons.