13 years ago Lena Dunham was the ‘voice of her generation’ – now she’s back

Over a decade ago Girls’ Lena Dunham delivered the line that defined an era of TV – now she’s bring viewers along for the ride with her new Netflix show, Too Much.

The 10-episode series follows a New York creative and British romance movie lover, Jessica (Hacks star Megan Stalter), who moves to London after a bad break-up and quickly strikes up a relationship with chaotic musician Felix (The White Lotus’ Will Sharpe).

The show leans right into the messiness of life with two imperfect protagonists trying to process their own life traumas while building a new future together.

This relatable, vulnerable quality that Dunham, 39, imbues into her shows has long been a topic of discourse ever since her seminal 2012 HBO show Girls hit screens, featuring the iconic line delivered in the pilot episode.

‘I don’t wanna freak you out, but I think I may be the voice of my generation. Or at least, a voice of a generation,’ her character Hannah Horvath confidently proclaims.

Over 13 years on, and as she introduces a new complicated protagonist to the small screen, Lena reflected on the quote’s larger-than-life legacy to Metro at the UK premiere of Too Much in London.

‘[A] voice of a generation was always meant to be a joke… I can’t even remember the line anymore. I think what’s so important is that no one can be the voice of women, no one can be the voice of any community.

‘A generation isn’t a monolith, and something I love about my generation is the diversity of perspective. I feel like if I can bring light to a specific kind of experience that I’m connected to, that’s wonderful. But what I’m most excited about is seeing all kinds of shows that tell all kinds of stories.

‘I think British TV is a great place for that. I’ve just been watching What It Feels Like For A Girl, and it’s so beautiful. I just feel so excited when I see a new voice that is telling such a specific and personal story.

‘I didn’t know what it was like to grow up queer in the early 2000s in Nottingham, but now I do… so that’s always what I’m trying to do,’ she said.

In an interview with The New Yorker this month, she revealed that she had firmly decided against starring in her new show, with no plans to repeat the same scrutiny that came with starring in Girls.

As for whether she had offered the 34-year-old any advice on how to handle being a Lena Dunham leading lady, she said:’Meg is her own incredible person, and she is so self-possessed.

‘I learned so much from her, and I wish I’d had her in my ear when I was on a show. She [is] just is so elegant and wise and funny, so she’s got it all covered.’

While Too Much fostered fresh friendships for Dunham, there were also reunions including with ex-Girls star Michael Zegen who plays Jessica’s ex-boyfriend.

Since the show is told from Jessica’s perspective – who is clearly still reeling from her breakup – his character, Zev, doesn’t come across in the most favourable light.

‘When I was first approached to do this, I know Lena because I had done Girls years ago, she texted me and was like, “I want you for this this role” and obviously you say yes if Lena texts you and asks you to do her show,’ he explained about how he ended up in Too Much.

After playing another unfavourable ex, Joel, in Marvelous Mrs Maisel l, however, there was some wariness.

‘I read it and I was like, “oh man, like he’s another unlikable guy who, the more you get to know him, the more you’re like, oh, maybe, yeah, right.”

There was no hesitation. I was still gonna do it, obviously, but yeah, there, there are some parallels between him and Joel.’

In the end he’s taken the accidental typecasting with grace, joking: ‘Someday I would love to get offered something where people like the character immediately.’

Too Much comes out on Netflix on July 10, 2025.

This article was first published on June 23, 2025.

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