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Entertainment • Comedian

Sharon Horgan

Sharon Horgan is an Irish actress, writer, director, producer, and comedian born in 1970.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sharon Horgan is an Irish actress, writer, director, producer, and comedian born in 1970. She is best known for creating and starring in the television comedies *Pulling*, *Catastrophe*, and *Bad Sisters*, and for creating series including *Divorce*, *Motherland*, and *Shining Vale*. She co-founded the production company Merman.

Early life

Horgan was born in Hackney, London, in 1970 and is described as Irish in the cited sources. Sources also note that she later became based in London and built her career in British and U.S. television.

Career

Her breakthrough television work was *Pulling*, which she wrote, produced, and starred in. She later gained wider recognition for *Catastrophe*, and went on to create or co-create *Divorce*, *Motherland*, *Shining Vale*, and *Bad Sisters*.

Production work

Horgan co-founded Merman in 2014 to develop television projects. The company has been associated with titles including *Motherland* and other scripted comedy and drama projects.

Recognition

Sources describe Horgan as a multi-BAFTA-winning or BAFTA-award-winning creator and performer. She has also received major television award recognition for her writing and acting.

Key facts

  • Sharon Horgan was born in London in 1970 and is Irish.
  • She is widely known for creating and starring in the sitcom *Pulling*.
  • She co-created and starred in *Catastrophe* with Rob Delaney.
  • She co-created *Motherland* and *Shining Vale*.
  • She co-founded the production company Merman.
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Canadian context

Her work has been widely distributed to Canadian audiences through international television and streaming platforms, and her series are part of the broader English-language comedy landscape familiar to Canadian viewers.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Sharon Horgan?
She is an Irish actress, writer, director, producer, and comedian known for television comedy and drama work.
What is Sharon Horgan best known for?
She is best known for creating and starring in *Pulling*, *Catastrophe*, and *Bad Sisters*.
What is Sharon Horgan's nationality?
She is Irish.
Where was Sharon Horgan born?
She was born in Hackney, London, England, UK.
What production company did Sharon Horgan co-found?
She co-founded Merman.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Horgan
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, occupations, and major creations including *Pulling*, *Catastrophe*, *Bad Sisters*, *Divorce*, *Motherland*, and *Shining Vale*.
  2. British Comedy Guide — https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/sharon_horgan/
    Supports: Career overview, breakthrough with *Pulling*, later work on *Catastrophe*, and co-founding of Merman.
  3. United Agents — https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/sharon-horgan/
    Supports: Professional biography, awards recognition, and credits for *Catastrophe* and *Bad Sisters*.
  4. Irish Film & Television Academy — https://www.ifta.ie/academy_members/mp/sharon_horgan.html
    Supports: Occupation and identification as a London-based Irish actress, writer, director, and producer best known for *Pulling* and *Catastrophe*.