Neither Emily in Paris nor Sex and the City: Discover Darren Star’s Secret Hit Series

If you think you know all of Darren Star’s creations, think again: the man behind the flashy heels of Sex and the City and the Insta-glam of Emily in Paris has another gem up his sleeve—and it’s a real charmer, not a cliché in sight (well, maybe just a few, but what’s a rom-com without them?). Meet ‘Younger’, the not-so-secret smash that might become your next TV obsession.

The Mastermind: Darren Star’s Colorful TV Universe

Darren Star, the prolific scriptwriter and producer, has made a name for himself with a string of television hits featuring bold, offbeat characters you either fall in love with or love to hate (there’s seldom an in-between). Over the years, Star has demonstrated a unique knack for centering stories around vibrant personalities, making millions of viewers laugh, sigh, and occasionally question their own life choices—usually from the comfort of their sofa.

Younger: The Comeback with a Twist

In 2015, Darren Star leapt back into the limelight with Younger, a fresh series adapted from Pamela Redmond Satran’s eponymous novel. This show has all the signature ingredients fans cherish from Star’s creative cookbook:

• A heroine as refreshing as an iced coffee in July
• A significant social subject (ageism, anyone?)
• Comedy that’s as light as a perfectly whipped meringue
• A satisfying queer touch—because, let’s face it, inclusivity matters

The series follows a New Jersey mom, recently single, who decides to fib about her age in order to boost her job prospects. A sprinkling of luck (plus some skillful makeup), and voila: she passes for someone twenty years younger. Take that, age barriers!

The Heroine and a Glamorous Cast

Choosing the right lead is no small feat, but for Darren Star, the decision was clear: Sutton Foster, a well-known actress and musical theater star in the U.S., embodied everything he was looking for. Star admitted he was genuinely surprised to learn Foster was actually 40 when they met—a crucial casting requirement was finding someone the real age of the character, not simply someone around 35. On-screen, Foster is not only plausible as a 26-year-old, she radiates timelessness. Star noted it was less about her looks and more about the confidence she exudes. (Talk about ageing gracefully—Hollywood, please take notes!)

The rest of Younger’s cast sparkles just as brightly:

• Hilary Duff, famed among ’90s kids for Lizzie McGuire, plays the protagonist’s best friend
• Nico Tortorella (yes, from Scream 4)
• Debi Mazar (Entourage alumna)
• Miriam Shor, who fans of Sex and the City will instantly recognize

It’s a line-up as glamorous as it is talented—just the ensemble to bring Star’s signature sass to life.

Why Viewers Love Younger

With an impressive average rating of 4.1 out of 5, Younger is officially the top-rated Darren Star series on AlloCiné, if you trust the throngs of passionate fans. Viewers celebrate its endearing characters, quality writing, and sense of humor—three pillars that bear the indelible Darren Star stamp.

Star consistently crafts heroines who light up the screen as true working girls or girl bosses—women who make everything look easy (well, everything except their romantic lives… but nobody’s perfect, right?). If you’ve enjoyed the cosmopolitan sparkle of Sex and the City, the tongue-in-cheek flair of Emily in Paris, or the gentle satire of modern romantic comedies, Younger is tailor-made for binge-watching on a rainy Sunday (or a sunny Monday—no judgment!).

And for cinephiles, AlloCiné delivers daily movie and series news, interviews, streaming picks, plus quirky film and TV trivia. Subscribing to AlloCiné on Google Discover lets you explore, every day, a trove crafted by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. Just the kind of dedication Darren Star’s fans would approve of: a little obsessive, always passionate, and always ready for a new must-watch recommendation.