Irish actress and writer Sharon Horgan's emotional struggle following her father's passing disrupts the production schedule of her hit series Bad Sisters.
According to The Standard, the filming of Bad Sisters' second season faced an unexpected shutdown after Horgan found it challenging to cope with grief following her father John Horgan's death during Christmas 2023.
The 54-year-old creator of the BAFTA-winning series opened up about her experience during an appearance on the How To Fail With Elizabeth Day podcast.
She discussed the complex relationship between her personal loss and professional responsibilities, revealing how her emotional state impacted the production process.
Horgan's brother Mark provided insight into the situation after watching an episode filmed following their father's death. The scene's emotional intensity reflected Sharon's raw feelings at the time, creating a powerful yet challenging viewing experience for family members.
The London-born creator expressed conflicting feelings about channeling her grief into her work. While acknowledging the cathartic nature of the process, she noted the ethical complexity of using genuine emotions for dramatic purposes.
Horgan shared her perspective on the unusual intersection between acting and real-life grief, stating:
I sat with an actor playing my dad's dying before, and that really blew my mind. This can be a bit unhealthy this job. It was weird going back to work. In the end we had to shut down the production because I couldn't.
The acclaimed writer-actress reflected on her increased confidence after entering her fifties. She discussed the complex relationship with aging, emphasizing the disconnect between her internal energy and external appearance.
Her father's death prompted a shift in perspective regarding mortality and time management. This transformation influenced her approach to selecting projects and collaborators.
The creator of HBO's Divorce and comedy series Motherland revealed a newfound professional assurance, stating:
There's a confidence there that I really appreciate actually, because it's not great to be walking around feeling like you've sort of snuck in and no-one's noticed so far that I'm winging it. It's exhausting. It's much better to feel like you should be in those rooms.
The critically acclaimed Bad Sisters follows a group of siblings attempting to protect their sister Grace, portrayed by Anne-Marie Duff, from an oppressive marriage. The show garnered significant recognition at the 2023 BAFTA TV awards, securing wins for both Best Drama Series and Best Supporting Actress for Duff.
The production delay hasn't diminished the show's success or Horgan's creative momentum. She continues to balance personal growth with professional achievements, having created successful series including Catastrophe and Pulling.
Beyond her professional developments, Horgan confirmed she has begun dating again following her 2019 separation from businessman Jeremy Rainbird, indicating positive personal progress despite recent challenges.
