After eight years out of the limelight, Girls creator and actress Lena Dunham is finally opening up about the personal struggles that led to her departure—and what’s bringing her back. In an honest interview with The Times, Dunham explained her decision to take what she called an “intentional break” from the industry after Girls ended in 2017.
Lena Dunham Opens Up on Why She Disappeared
“I didn’t really understand how to distinguish between what was and wasn’t necessary for the public,” she said. She added, “I thought if I explain properly who I am… people are going to have a different perception of me. But no one cares—and that’s fine.”
During this break, Dunham entered rehab to address her addiction to prescription medication for anxiety. This dependency she said, began as a way to cope with physical pain. “I felt like all the maturing and changing that had been kept at bay by the experience of being in that cocoon of the show was suddenly happening at a speed that was overwhelming,” she reflected. “It was a painful metamorphosis.”
A Softer Comeback in ‘Too Much’
Now, Dunham is back—this time with a gentler, more personal series. Too Much, a romantic dramedy co-created by Dunham, premieres on OTT platforms July 10. It follows Jessica, a New Yorker who moves to London after a breakup and unexpectedly falls for an indie musician. Dunham plays Jessica’s sister in the show, and the character’s arc mirrors her own life. She too moved to London and married musician Luis Felber.
Starring Meg Stalter and The White Lotus actor Will Sharpe, the series is a blend of vulnerability and comedy. After years of reflection and healing, Dunham says she’s ready to share again—on her own terms. Lena’s story is inspiring; it teaches us to never give up on ourselves. It teaches us that we can always try and be our best version.
