Lena Dunham is focusing on her mental health and stepping back from acting.
In an interview with The New Yorker published on July 9, the 38-year-old "Girls" creator explained why she won't be acting in front of the camera in her latest projects, including the semi-autobiographical comedy series "Too Much". The show, set for a 2025 release on Netflix, follows an American woman in her thirties (played by Megan Stalter) who moves to London and falls in love with a British musician (Will Sharpe).
The series reflects Dunham’s life, as she now resides in London with her husband, British Peruvian musician Luis Felber, whom she married in 2021. Although Dunham initially planned to star in the lead role, she chose to cast Stalter instead.
“Physically, I was just not up for having my body dissected again,” Dunham told The New Yorker.
Dunham praised Stalter, saying working with her was like working with "a little Meryl Streep." She expressed admiration for Stalter's talent, stating, “She’s unbelievable; I think people are going to be so blown away.”
Dunham also reflected on her past experiences with the scrutiny she faced during "Girls". “I was not willing to have another experience like what I’d experienced around "Girls" at this point in my life. It was a hard choice, not to cast Meg — because I knew I wanted Meg — but to admit that to myself,” she explained.
Dunham's understanding of happiness has changed over the years. “I used to think that winning meant you just keep doing it and you don’t care what anybody thinks," she said. "I forgot that winning is actually just protecting yourself and doing what you need to do to keep making work.”
She also shared that she doesn't seek "attention" or "compliments." “What makes me feel powerful is making my work. It’s the only thing I want to do,” she said.
To maintain her peace, Dunham avoids social media. “I haven’t had to log in to my Twitter or my Instagram for six years,” she revealed, noting that these platforms "don’t protect women and minorities." She added, “I just realized that there was no way that I was going to move toward the ways I wanted to feel in my personal life if I still had access to those things.”
Dunham also revealed that she will no longer be directing the "Polly Pocket" film with Lily Collins, despite working on the script for “three years.”
“I’m not going to make the "Polly Pocket" movie,” she said. After complimenting Greta Gerwig on her successful adaptation of "Barbie", Dunham explained, “I felt like, unless I can do it that way, I’m not going to do it. I don’t think I have that in me. 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. And I did think other people could make "Polly Pocket".”
The Quran - Chapter Al-Mujadila : 06
Also ˹so that˺ He may punish hypocrite men and women and polytheistic men and women, who harbour evil thoughts of Allah. May ill-fate befall them! Allah is displeased with them. He has condemned them and prepared for them Hell. What an evil destination!
