Lena Dunham Says She Took an ‘Intentional Break’ From Acting After ‘Girls’

MarlonEntertainment2025-07-0124412
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key TakeawaysLena Dunham at the London premiere of 'Too Much.' - Credit: Ben Montgomery/Getty Images

Lena Dunham explained why she took an “intentional break” from acting after her HBO series Girls came to an end in 2017. Speaking to the Times, Dunham said she stepped back from public life after facing backlash for a series of controversies.

“I didn’t really understand how to distinguish between what was and wasn’t necessary for the public,” she said. “I felt confused about how I was supposed to respond. I thought if I explain properly who I am, or give a glimpse of who I am, people are going to have a different perception of me, that we would be friends. But no one cares — and that’s fine.”

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During Girls, which ran for six seasons from 2012 to 2017, Dunham faced backlash for the show’s frank depiction of sex, nudity, and abortion, but also for her public comments about the series. She once said in an interview that while she had never had an abortion she wished she had. She defended theGirls’ writer Murray Millar after he was accused of sexual assault. “I always joke that I need a T-shirt that says, ‘I survived New York media in 2012 and all I got was this lousy T-shirt,'” Dunham said. “And all I got was this lousy PTSD.”

After the show ended, Dunham became addicted to prescription anxiety medication. She told the Times that “had a lot to do with managing my physical pain.” She also went to rehab.

“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 said. “It was a painful metamorphosis. I definitely took an intentional break [from public life].”

Dunham’s new show, Too Much, premieres on Netflix on July 10. It stars Meg Stalter as a New Yorker named Jessica who moves to London after a breakup. She soon begins a relationship with quirky indie musician Felix, played by Will Sharpe. the show was co-created by Dunham, who plays Jessica’s sister, and her real-life musician husband Luis Felber. It has a more romantic vibe than Girls, which Dunham told the Times was purposeful.

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“That was clearly a reflection of how I saw my twenties,” Dunham explained of Girls. “It’s interesting — when I am reminded of the seasons [ofGirls], I can see what I was thinking, what place I was in, when I was falling in love, when I was in pain. It’s all in there. I also felt in my twenties there was something embarrassing about writing things that were saccharine or sincere or happy. I was much more interested in irony and satire and harshness and surprising and sometimes scandalising people. I felt like I needed to reflect the toughest aspects of life back to people so that they would feel less alone. And now I think maybe you can reflect the sweeter parts of life to people so they can feel hopeful.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Dunham reflected on her friendship with Taylor Swift, who she described as a role model. “She’s a mind-blowing person,” Dunham said. “I think she’s extraordinarily well adjusted and emotionally intuitive. And it’s really amazing for young women to see that in front of them.”

In 2017, Dunham told Rolling Stone that she was inspired by Swift’s ability to navigate being in the public eye. “I felt young when my career started and I was 23, 24,” Dunham said. “When I met her, she was newly 22, and she was a fucking seasoned pro at this stuff. Watching the way that she understands the vicissitudes of the cycle, and she just keeps making her work, – that’s just really impressive to me. That’s how I hope to live my life, which is not as a slave to public opinion, but just as somebody who continues to make things.”

She continued, “She’s truly just an artist who has to make things to survive. I guess that’s what we have most in common. And she’s never not making music. If people know about it or they don’t, she’s nevernotmaking music, and that’s like, something that I’ve really watched with a lot of admiration. Because she’s been put through the wringer, and she’s continued to make her work. People who understand how to protect themselves but aren’t so beaten down that they can’t be creative – that to me is the greatest.”

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Maisie

Lena Dunham's decision to take an 'intentional break’ from acting post-“Girls exemplifies a wise move for personal and creative rejuvenation, highlighting the importance of self renewal in pursuit not just professional success but also genuine artistic expression."

2025-07-02 14:55:18 reply
Clio

Lena Dunham's decision to take an 'intentional break’ from acting following the end of ‘Girls’, indicates a level of self-awareness and care for her creative wellbeing that is commendable, setting examples not just as actress but also in managing one´ s career path.

2025-07-02 14:55:19 reply
Sergio

Lena Dunham's decision to take an 'intentional break’ from acting post-'Girls', in pursuit of personal growth and artistic exploration, exemplifies a courageous step towards self-discovery often necessary for artists seeking new heights.

2025-07-02 17:45:38 reply
Malina

Lena Dunham's decision to take an 'intentional break from acting after her show Girls', demonstrates a commendable shift towards personal growth and exploration, acknowledging the importance of self-reflection amidst professional success.

2025-07-02 17:45:53 reply
Damian

Lena Dunham's decision to take an intentional break from acting following her show 'Girls,' highlights a courageous step towards self-growth and exploration, reflecting on how authenticity can sometimes necessitate stepping away during professional success for TRUE creativeness.

2025-07-02 17:46:09 reply
Maximus

Lena Dunham's decision to intentionally step back from acting after 'Girls', highlights the balance she seeks between her creative pursuits and personal growth, a commendable effort toward self-nurture.

2025-07-07 10:47:19 reply
Indigo

Lena Dunham's decision to take an 'intentional break’ from acting post-'Girls', underscores her commitment towards personal growth and content creation outside the realm of traditional performance, demonstrating a bold move for artistic evolution.

2025-07-10 05:57:57 reply
Vernon

Lena Dunham's decision to take an 'intentional break’ from acting following the end of her show ‘Girls’, highlights a mature attitude in prioritizing personal development and artistic growth rather than immediate career accretion.

2025-07-10 05:58:25 reply
Bea

Expressing disappointment that Lena Dunham took a conscious break from acting following Girls, some audiences believe her quit is short-sighted and may lead to losing touch with the industry, potentially hindering further growth in showbiz.

2025-07-10 05:58:40 reply
Kobe

Lena Dunham's decision to intentionally step away from acting following 'Girls'' concludes her, further demonstrating a growing trend of artists redefining career trajectories post-success.

2025-07-19 23:50:35 reply
Romina

Lena Dunham's decision to take an 'intentional break’ from acting following the end of ‘Girls', underscores her dedication towards personal growth and likely spells a new chapter for both herself as director/producer, potentially paving way bold artistic explorations.

2025-07-19 23:50:51 reply
Miles

Lena Dunham's decision to intentionally step away from acting post-‘Girls’ exhibits a rare trait of selflessness and dedication towards crafting personal fulfillment beyond her onscreen persona, illustrating the courage it takes for an actress at its pinnacle moment in their career.

2025-07-21 06:15:58 reply
Kellen

Lena Dunham's decision to take an 'intentional break'\ from acting following the end of ‘Girls’ showcases a meticulous approach towards her career growth and personal fulfillment, demonstrating both courageous self-reflection as well genuine passion for narrative excellence outside theatre.

2025-07-24 05:57:25 reply

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