Horgan disclosed that Youth, which centers on Alex, a 50-year-old literary agent navigating divorce, family, and a complex love life, benefited immensely from a few years of gestation. Initially conceived during a challenging period in her own life, Horgan consciously put the project aside, opting to work on two seasons of Bad Sisters in the interim. This pause, she explains, allowed her to approach Youth from a more hopeful, humorous, and experienced perspective.

"I think if I had written it when I first started hitting menopause, coming out of a divorce thing and back on the singles market, I wouldn’t have been writing it from a place or perspective of love," Horgan told Collider. The delay transformed the series, making it "a bit less darker and a bit more funny." It also provided Horgan with invaluable experience as a solo writer, having previously collaborated on shows like Catastrophe and Motherland.

Building confidence as a storyteller has been a journey for Horgan. She admitted to initially lacking faith in her voice, describing her early approach as a "leap into it, close my eyes, and hope for the best." Her strategy has always been to infuse her emotional experiences into her narratives, trusting that honesty will resonate with audiences. This commitment to authenticity extends to incorporating even personal, less glamorous details, such as Alex's recurring UTI, a real-life struggle for Horgan that she found fitting for the show's candid tone.

Horgan also embraces creative challenges, deliberately stepping out of her comfort zone. Moving from half-hour comedies to the hour-long drama-thriller Bad Sisters was one such move. For Youth, the challenge was to tackle difficult, often unfunny aspects of midlife, but within a half-hour format and as a solo writer. "The safe thing to do would have been to stick around to do another Bad Sisters, but I wanted to try telling this new story in the half-hour space," she explained, emphasizing her desire to avoid artistic stagnation.

Discussing the controversial Youth finale, where Alex abruptly leaves Patrick after discovering his pros and cons list, Horgan offered clarity. Alex's silent departure stemmed from a place of past vulnerability and poor communication, echoing Horgan's own experiences. "I experienced that exact thing, and I stayed and talked. I often think about it and wish that I had just skedaddled," she shared. The comedic timing of a man crashing his bicycle right after Alex's dramatic exit serves as a metaphor for the messy, complex nature of her selfless decision to let Patrick pursue fatherhood.

Looking ahead, Horgan is open to a second season of Youth. "You can’t help but have ideas," she said, noting how deeply the characters have embedded themselves in her thoughts. While a potential Season 2 hinges on audience appetite, Horgan expressed satisfaction with the show's reception. As for Bad Sisters, a third season is a frequent thought, especially when she's with the cast, highlighting the special bond formed during its production.