Lena Dunham has chosen not to star in her new Netflix show, ‘Too Much’, after experiences of body shaming during her time on ‘Girls’. The announcement was detailed in a New Yorker interview published on July 9, 2024. Dunham, now 38 and living in London, expressed her need to protect herself from public scrutiny like she faced previously.
In the interview, Dunham openly discussed the harsh criticism of her physical appearance on ‘Girls’, saying, “Physically, I was just not up for having my body dissected again.” This decision reflects her journey towards personal happiness and wellbeing, altering her career path to safeguard her mental health. “I used to think that winning meant you just keep doing it and you don’t care what anybody thinks. I forgot that winning is actually just protecting yourself and doing what you need to do to keep making work,” she remarked.
The upcoming series ‘Too Much’, set for a 2025 release on Netflix, draws parallels with Dunham’s own life transitions. It follows a thirty-something-year-old American woman who moves to London and falls in love with a British musician. Comedian Megan Stalter will step into the role initially intended for Dunham.
Expanding more on media and its impact, Dunhave strongly criticized social platforms: “These places don’t protect women and minorities,” she said, shedding light on the toxic environment some celebrities endure online. She also revealed that she hasn’t logged into Twitter or Instagram for six years due to these negative experiences.
Furthermore, acting isn’t the only area where Lena is stepping back; she briefly engaged with directing the Polly Pocket film but decided against it after realizing other directors might bring different strengths to the project. This realization came when contrasting her vision with Greta Gerwig’s successful directorial approach in ‘Barblie’.
Dunham’s choice not to engage directly as an actress or director underscores a shift towards selecting projects that align better with personal significance and necessity rather than external expectations or prestige. She summed up her feelings about future directorial endeavors saying: “I feel like the next movie I make needs to feel like a movie that I absolutely have to make. No one but me could make it.”
In summary, Lena Dunham continues redefining success by focusing more on wellbeing and authenticity rather than conforming to industry standards. Her choices underscore a broader narrative about mental health awareness and self-care amongst public figures.
