‘Youth’: Meet Sharon Horgan & the Cast’s Real-Life Loves
Sharon Horgan‘s Alex is searching for love in HBO‘s new comedy series Youth. The actress, who also serves as creator, writer, and executive producer, plays a 50-year-old divorcee who embarks on the world of dating while caring for her aging parents and raising her college-aged son, Ruari (Aran Murphy). In the process, she reconnects with a charming old flame, Rupert Friend‘s Patrick.
With a premise like that, it’s only natural to start thinking about the cast’s love lives off-screen. Speaking to The Times, Horgan recently opened up about what it was like dating over 50 after her 2019 divorce from her husband of 14 years, businessman Jeremy Rainbird, with whom she shares daughters Sadhbh and Amer.
Now, the Bad Sisters actress is dating a costar. Keep reading for all the details on Horgan’s new relationship, as well as the relationship statuses of all her new Youth costars.
Youth, September 20 Premiere, HBO Max
Sharon Horgan
The 56-year-old is dating fellow actor Barry Ward. Though she didn’t refer to Ward by name on the Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson podcast last August, all of the details she shared lined up with Ward. For one, she discussed their nine-year age gap. “I’ve got a younger partner as well,” she said. “I think initially I was like, ‘Oh, that’s exotic being 10 years older. I sort of got off on it. And then I was like, ‘Oh, no, that’s not good.'”
She said they “met years ago doing a film together” — playing a married couple in Dating Amber — “then, you know, became friendly. And then a good few years later — this wasn’t on purpose, by the way — I cast him in Bad Sisters.”
Rupert Friend
Since 2016, 44-year-old Friend has been married to actress and former Paralympian Aimee Mullins. They got engaged two years before tying the knot. In 2024, they welcomed a baby daughter, whom Mullins gave birth to while Friend was filming Jurassic World: Rebirth.
Harriet Walter
Dame Harriet Walter recurs in the HBO Max series. The actress has been married to actor Guy Paul since 2011.
Aran Murphy
Up until Youth, Murphy, 19, led a private life like his dad, Oscar winner Cillian Murphy. Not much is known about the young Murphy’s dating life. However, Aran isn’t disappearing from the spotlight anytime soon, with upcoming appearances in HBO’s War and the film Klara and the Sun.
Sharlene Whyte
Sharlene Whyte, who plays Sam, hasn’t spoken publicly about her relationship status. The 50-year-old actress is either single or keeping her love life private.
Freddie Fox
House of the Dragon star Freddie Fox returns to the world of HBO in Youth. When it comes to his personal life, Fox is pretty tight-lipped. He’s been linked to Ted Lasso and The Other Bennet Sister star Tanya Reynolds in the past.
Robbie Gee
Robbie Gee, the 56-year-old actor playing Frank, also hasn’t shared any details about his love life.
Anne Reid
Anne Reid is a recurring star of Youth’s first season. The British actress was married to Peter Eckersley from 1971 until his death in 1981. They have one son, Mark Eckersley.
