Lena Dunham Explained The “Hard Choice” Not To Star In Her Upcoming Netflix Show Because Of Body-Shaming

    “I knew from the very beginning I would not be the star of it…I was not willing to have another experience like what I’d experienced around Girls at this point in my life.”

    Ellen Durney
    by Ellen Durney

    BuzzFeed Staff

    This post contains discussion of body image issues.

    For many people, Lena Dunham is best known for being the creator and star of Girls.

    Lena Dunham smiles while posing on the red carpet, wearing a one-shoulder, flowing dress and a floral headband
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    The popular HBO series — which had six seasons between 2012 and 2017 — follows a group of friends as they navigate life, careers, and relationships in New York City.

    Zosia Mamet, Allison Williams, Lena Dunham, and Jemima Kirke at the "Girls" HBO premiere. They are posing together, each wearing stylish dresses
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    Over the years, Girls has been hailed as a “masterpiece,” but the show — and Lena specifically — didn’t escape controversy throughout its run. Notably, Girls was criticized for its lack of diversity, and in 2017 Lena also faced intense backlash for defending one of the show’s writers amid rape allegations.

    As you may know, Girls — which also stars the likes of Allison Williams and Adam Driver — was inspired by Lena’s own life, and the character she played, Hannah, was partly based on her.

    Lena Dunham sits in a room wearing a patterned shirt, looking slightly surprised. The background features a closed door and a wooden chair
    HBO

    And now, more than a decade after Girls premiered, Lena is working on yet another semi-autobiographical series, Too Much, alongside her husband, Luis Felber.

    Lena Dunham and Luis Felber pose on a red carpet. Dunham wears an off-the-shoulder black dress and headpiece, and Felber wears a black suit and tie
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    Currently set for a 2025 release on Netflix, Too Much will follow Jessica, an American woman in her mid-30s who moves to the UK after a difficult breakup. In London, Jessica meets and falls in love with a musician named Felix, who is described in the official description as “a walking series of red flags.”

    Lena Dunham speaks at an event, wearing a floral long-sleeve dress, holding a microphone, and gesturing with her other hand
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    Because the show’s description closely mirrors Lena’s experience of moving to the UK and meeting her husband, she was expected to take the lead role, just as she did in Girls. However, it was announced in December that Megan Stalter would star as Jessica alongside Will Sharpe, who will play Felix.

    Lena Dunham wearing a casual outfit, with her hair in two buns, speaking into a microphone at a BUILD Series event
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    Now, speaking to the New Yorker for a new profile, Lena explained that she was reluctant to star in the show after previous experiences with body-shaming.

    Lena Dunham poses on the Toronto International Film Festival red carpet in an elegant, pleated, sleeveless dress
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    “It’s about an American woman in London who has had a bad breakup in New York and is confused, meeting a recovering punk musician and trying to figure out if they can make a life together,” she told the outlet when asked about acting in the upcoming project. “It’s not a huge leap [from my experience]. But I knew from the very beginning I would not be the star of it.”

    Interestingly, Lena — who’s talked openly about body image struggles — recalled it was difficult to “admit” that she wouldn’t feel comfortable in the lead role. However, she said casting Megan was the perfect alternative, comparing her star to “a little Meryl Streep.”

    Lena Dunham at a press event, wearing a unique, structured outfit with layered fabric details. She stands in front of a backdrop with bear logos
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    “I also think that I was not willing to have another experience like what I’d experienced around Girls at this point in my life,” she said, recalling the body-shaming she endured while starring on the hit HBO show in her 20s. 


    “Physically, I was just not up for having my body dissected again. It was a hard choice, not to cast Meg — because I knew I wanted Meg — but to admit that to myself,” she continued.

    Notably, Lena also talked about the importance of “protecting yourself and doing what you need to do to keep making work.”

    Lena Dunham poses at the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House event, wearing a stylish off-shoulder dress
    Vince Bucci / Getty Images for Friendly House

    “I used to think that winning meant you just keep doing it and you don’t care what anybody thinks,” she said, admitting that her perspective on true happiness has changed. 


    She added: “What makes me feel powerful is making my work. It’s the only thing I want to do.”

    You can find Lena’s full interview with the New Yorker here.

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