Catastrophe (2015)
A brilliantly funny and unexpectedly moving British comedy about two people stumbling into love, parenthood, and everything messy in between.
Catastrophe - Series Information
- Original Title: Catastrophe
- First Air Year: 2015
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Created by: Rob Delaney, Sharon Horgan
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 19, 2015 (United States - TV-MA), January 19, 2015 (United Kingdom - 15), January 19, 2015 (Brazil - 16)
- Networks: Channel 4
- Production Companies: Merman, Avalon Television, Birdbath Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
- Alternative Titles: Helt katastrofe (NO), Amor a Quanto Obrigas (PT), קטסטרופה (IL), Da Sharon mødte Rob (DK), Катастрофа (RU)
Catastrophe - Plot
Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan write and star in a comedy that follows an American man and an Irish woman who make a bloody mess as they struggle to fall in love in London.
Catastrophe - Trailer
See the chemistry and chaos that made this series an instant favourite:
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Catastrophe - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Rob Delaney
- Sharon Horgan
Main Cast
- Sharon Horgan
- Rob Delaney
- Mark Bonnar
- Ashley Jensen
- Daniel Lapaine
- Jonathan Forbes
- Seeta Indrani
- Marta Barrio
- Tobias Menzies
- Carrie Fisher
Writers
- Rob Delaney
- Sharon Horgan
Catastrophe - FAQs
Is Catastrophe based on a true story?
Catastrophe isn't based on a single true story, but it draws heavily from the real lives of its creators. Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan infused the show with autobiographical details — Delaney's own struggles with alcoholism and his experience as an American living abroad both shape the series in deeply personal ways.
Who plays the lead roles in Catastrophe?
Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan play the central couple — Rob Norris and Sharon Morris — and also created and wrote the entire series together. The supporting cast includes Ashley Jensen, Mark Bonnar, Tobias Menzies, and the late Carrie Fisher, who plays Rob's eccentric mother Mia.
Where can you stream Catastrophe?
All four seasons of Catastrophe are available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. If you prefer to own the series, episodes can be purchased through Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies.
Why is Carrie Fisher in Catastrophe?
Carrie Fisher appears as Mia, Rob's wildly unpredictable mother, across all four seasons. Rob Delaney and Fisher were friends in real life, and her casting brought a wonderfully chaotic energy to the show. Her final scenes in Season 4 aired posthumously, making them especially poignant for fans.
How was Catastrophe received by critics?
Catastrophe earned widespread critical acclaim throughout its run, praised for its razor-sharp writing, emotional honesty, and the electric chemistry between Delaney and Horgan. It holds strong scores on Rotten Tomatoes and was frequently cited as one of the best comedies of its era by outlets including The Guardian and The Atlantic.
How does Catastrophe handle the topic of alcoholism?
Alcoholism is one of the series' most compelling threads. Rob's history with alcohol and his involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous are woven throughout the show with surprising nuance — neither sensationalized nor minimized. The series treats addiction as part of a full, complicated life rather than a defining tragedy.
Why did Catastrophe end after four seasons?
Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan made a deliberate creative decision to end Catastrophe on their own terms after four seasons. Rather than stretching the story beyond its natural arc, they chose to close the series with a bold, emotionally resonant finale that left audiences stunned and divided in equal measure.
What shows are similar to Catastrophe?
If Catastrophe won you over, Fleabag and Feel Good offer the same blend of raw honesty and dark comedy. State of the Union, also a Channel 4 production, explores a troubled marriage with similar wit. Starstruck and Crashing are lighter British romcoms that share Catastrophe's sharp, character-driven charm.
More About Catastrophe
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