Sharon Horgan, the acclaimed creator and star of multiple hit series, navigates the delicate balance between personal grief and professional commitments.
According to The Standard, the filming of Bad Sisters' second season faced an unexpected shutdown as Horgan struggled to cope with the loss of her father, John Horgan, who passed away during Christmas 2023.
The 54-year-old actress and writer opened up about her experience during an appearance on the How To Fail With Elizabeth Day podcast. She revealed the profound impact her father's death had on both her personal life and the production schedule of the award-winning series.
The London-born Irish creator's grief significantly influenced her work on the show. Her younger brother, podcast host Mark Horgan, noticed the emotional weight carried in scenes filmed after their father's passing. The production team ultimately decided to temporarily halt filming when it became clear that continuing would be too challenging for Sharon.
Horgan reflected on the complex relationship between acting and real-life emotions. She discussed how her previous experiences portraying grief in acting roles created a peculiar "muscle memory" that affected her during her actual grieving process.
The actress shared her conflicted feelings about channeling personal grief into her performance. While acknowledging the cathartic potential, she expressed discomfort with the practice of utilizing genuine emotions for dramatic purposes.
Horgan spoke candidly about her experience of aging in the entertainment industry. She described having "puppy dog levels of energy" despite her age while addressing the visual aspects of aging with characteristic frankness.
The loss of her parent has prompted a shift in her approach to work and life choices. She has become more selective about projects and collaborators, demonstrating a newfound awareness of time's value.
As shared by Horgan:
I would say scary as well, there's a weird connection with your mortality when you lose a parent, and you start thinking about things in a different way, and that's why I'm very kind of particular about what I work on and who I work with and how I spend my time.
Bad Sisters has garnered significant acclaim since its debut on Apple TV+. The series follows a group of sisters who become suspects in the mysterious death of their brother-in-law, who maintained a controlling relationship with their sister Grace, portrayed by Anne-Marie Duff.
The show's success was affirmed at the 2023 BAFTA TV Awards, where it secured both the Best Drama Series award and a Supporting Actress win for Duff. This recognition adds to Horgan's impressive portfolio, which includes creating successful series like Catastrophe, Divorce, and Motherland.
In her personal life, Horgan confirmed she had begun a new relationship following her 2019 separation from businessman Jeremy Rainbird.
Sharon Horgan's experience demonstrates the profound impact personal loss can have on creative work. The temporary shutdown of Bad Sisters' second season production resulted from her father, John, passing in December 2023. As the creator and star continues to navigate this challenging period, she maintains her commitment to authentic storytelling while being mindful of her emotional well-being and career choices.
