--- title: "Catastrophe: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/catastrophe-2015/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/catastrophe-2015" critics_score: 85 critics_reviews: 15 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Catastrophe (2015): what the critics said Critics' score 85 from 15 reviews: 14 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like Catastrophe a great deal. The praise clusters on Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, whose rapport as writers and leads is described over and over as easy, spiky and believable, and on dialogue that moves fast and avoids the usual sitcom shapes. The reviews credit the show with treating an unplanned pregnancy, postnatal depression, infidelity and the grind of raising small children as material for jokes rather than lessons, and with staying funny while it does so. The reservations are few and mild, and the spread is narrow: fourteen of fifteen reviews are positive. The one exception, The Telegraph, judges only the first episode, finds it crude in places and wants more warmth to go with the bite. Variety’s sole complaint about the second series is that it is too short. Critics returning for the final series find the show has kept its quality and ended well. ## The Times — Gabriel Tate Rating ★★★★★. 28 October 2015. The second series maintains the show's farcical yet grounded tone, with strong chemistry between the leads and sharp writing that renders everyday chaos both irredeemably funny and truthful. Carrie Fisher appears as Rob's awful mother. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/tv-review-catastrophe-imagine-shylocks-ghost-hfdgrm3vvjr) ## Radio Times — Ben Dowell Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). The review highlights the show's fearless embrace of authentic, thorny issues like postnatal depression while maintaining its warm-hearted comedy. It praises the consistently excellent performances and spiky, cliché-free writing that turn everything into comedy gold. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-vba7es/catastrophe-season-2/) ## The AV Club — Molly Eichel Rating A-. 19 June 2015. Horgan and Delaney have created a lovely little TV rom-com with easy chemistry between the leads that delivers barbed dialogue naturally. It is a wonderfully sharp entry into the rom-com genre that does not always work on TV. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/catastrophe-episode-1-1798184128) ## Variety — Maureen Ryan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 April 2016. The second season has only one flaw: it is too short, with nimble craft that reveals hard truths about domestic life and real love without losing its bouncy charm. The easy rapport and frisky dialogue between the leads incorporate anger, frustration and affection in equal measure. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/catastrophe-rob-delaney-sharon-horgan-review-1201747835/) ## Vulture — Matt Zoller Seitz Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 28 June 2015. Catastrophe is the romantic comedy of the year, a likable half-hour sitcom with sharp dialogue and fresh takes on familiar situations through its rapid-fire storytelling and authentic couple dynamics. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2015/06/seitz-catastrophe-review.html) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 20 January 2015. The critic praises the show's breakneck pace, nimble dialogue and high gag rate as it follows the whirlwind romance and accidental pregnancy of its leads. The review highlights the honest, self-loathing humour and strong chemistry between the stars without cloying sentimentality. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jan/20/catastrophe-review-sharon-horgan-rob-delaney-channel-4) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Amy Amatangelo Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 17 June 2015. The critic calls it a charming and hilariously subversive British comedy about an unplanned pregnancy leading to an awkward romance. She singles out the authentic rapport and chemistry between the two leads for praise. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/catastrophe-tv-review-803124/) ## IndieWire — Liz Shannon Miller Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 June 2015. The series is far from a disaster for Amazon and excites for season 2. It highlights the strong writing and performances in this unconventional rom-com setup. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/review-catastrophe-season-1-is-far-from-a-disaster-for-amazon-and-has-us-excited-for-season-2-60807/) ## The Telegraph — Benji Wilson Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 19 January 2015. The debut episode is crude in places but shows promise through its characters and a standout dinner-party scene where the leads bond over mutual dislike of another guest. More sentiment could help it succeed as a comedy. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/11355871/catastrophe-series-1-episode-1-review.html) ## Collider — Lloyd Farley Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 3 May 2026. Praises Catastrophe as a rare perfect sitcom that consistently finds humor in real-life catastrophes like health scares, infidelity and family stress. Singles out the outstanding chemistry between leads Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, along with sharp writing and supporting cast including Carrie Fisher. [Read the review](https://collider.com/prime-video-catastrophe-sitcom-rob-delaney-sharon-horgan/) ## Digital Spy — Frances Taylor Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2015. Catastrophe is subtle, dirty, hilarious and could be the best comedy on TV in 2015, with unique tone, spot-on writing and believable performances from its leads. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a625072/channel-4s-catastrophe-could-it-be-the-comedy-of-the-year/) ## Paste — Amy Amatangelo Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 15 March 2019. Declares Catastrophe one of the decade's best series for its dark humor and unflinching honesty about marriage, parenting and daily family slog. Singles out how it realistically portrays the exhaustion and small moments of raising young children without making them afterthoughts. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/catastrophe/why-catastrophe-is-one-of-the-decades-best-tv-seri) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 18 March 2019. The critic finds the final season of Catastrophe a lovely, bittersweet conclusion that makes a strong case for the show's enduring quality and realistic take on long-term relationships. She singles out the series' ability to blend humor, specificity, and the mundane challenges of partnership as its greatest strength. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2019/03/18/tv/catastrophe-season-season-four-ending) ## /Film — Shania Russell Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 September 2021. Calls the series darkly hilarious and painfully honest as it follows the messy relationship of Rob and Sharon from unexpected pregnancy through years of chaos. Highlights their authentic chemistry, sharp writing drawn from real experiences, and how it finds humor in the absurd and awful parts of life and love. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/607447/the-daily-stream-catastrophe-laughs-at-the-worst-parts-of-life/) ## Den of Geek — Joe Matar Rating 4/5. 4 April 2016. Season two continues to find comedy and drama in its honest depiction of an unlikely couple’s lives, serving up scenes of pure drama with sincerity. It is a funny, unique, and bold look at life that will not disappoint fans of season one. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/catastrophe-season-2-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/catastrophe-2015.md