Lena Dunham’s new Netflix show, Too Much, has quickly become her most successful project since the acclaimed series Girls. Released on July 10, 2025, the romantic comedy centers on Jessica, played by Megan Stalter, a New Yorker who moves to London after a breakup and meets Felix, a struggling musician portrayed by Will Sharpe. The series combines Dunham’s distinct wit with heartfelt romance, capturing audience attention.
Strong Critical Reception Highlights Promise for Too Much
Currently, Too Much holds an impressive 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting broadly positive reviews from critics. While it hasn’t quite reached the cultural impact of Girls, which maintained an 89% score, reviewers praise the show’s blend of humor and sweetness. It marks a welcome resurgence for Dunham, following a string of less successful projects after Girls concluded in 2017.
Her previous HBO series, Camping, was poorly received, earning only a 27% rating and lasting a single season before cancellation. Similarly, Dunham’s executive producer role on the 2021 show Generation was met with moderate approval at 75% but also ended after one season. In contrast, Too Much presents a potential turning point in her television career.
The Path Ahead: What Too Much’s Success Means for Renewal
Since Girls ended, Lena Dunham has worked consistently but faded somewhat from the mainstream spotlight. The enthusiastic reception for Too Much signals her return to relevance, fueled by both critical praise and a compelling cast led by Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe. The future of the series now depends largely on streaming numbers.
Given Netflix’s reputation for nurturing romantic series—evidenced by long-running hits like Bridgerton and Emily in Paris—there are strong industry reasons to expect Too Much to find a broad audience. The show bears similarities to the 2024 rom-com hit Nobody Wants This, starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell, which also demonstrated Netflix’s appetite for this genre. Such factors make a season two renewal highly plausible.
Lena Dunham’s New Netflix Show Offers a Fresh Take on Familiar Themes
Dunham’s work has always been deeply personal, and Too Much continues this tradition by revisiting themes that resonated during Girls. The earlier series was notable for its unfiltered look at young adulthood, encapsulated by the character Hannah Horvath, a struggling writer in New York City who grapples with identity, ambition, and complicated relationships. Lena Dunham’s own experiences heavily influenced that show’s authenticity.
In Too Much, many of these themes reappear, including mental health struggles, the quest for love, and self-discovery. However, the tone differs significantly. Where Girls often held up a stark, sometimes uncomfortable mirror to the difficulties of young adulthood, Too Much embraces a more optimistic perspective. It encourages the notion that it’s acceptable not to have life fully figured out, and that uncertainty can lead to exciting new journeys.
This optimistic storytelling is buoyed by Megan Stalter’s standout performance as Jessica and Dunham’s sharp, insightful writing, positioning the series as a significant comeback for the creator.
“Megan Stalter & Will Sharpe lead Netflix’s new rom-com series, Too Much, which reminds us why we love rom-coms, and why it’s okay not to be cynical.” —Anonymous Reviewer
“Though the Too Much creator has been steadily working since Girls ended in 2017, Dunham hasn’t been in the pop conversation nearly as much as when her hit HBO show was on the air.” —Entertainment Analyst
Girls originally aired from 2012 to 2017 on HBO Max, carving out a niche as a comedy-drama series that followed four twenty-somethings navigating early adulthood in Brooklyn. At its core was Hannah Horvath, whose financial cutoff from her family forces her to confront the realities of making it as a writer in New York City. The series received critical acclaim for its raw portrayal of youthful struggles and complex relationships, solidifying Dunham’s place as a creator capable of capturing a generation’s voice. This legacy sets a high bar for Too Much, which now aims to connect with audiences in a more hopeful and romantic context.
The cast of Too Much includes Megan Stalter as Jessica Salmon and Will Sharpe as Felix Remen, a dynamic that anchors the narrative in a vibrant London setting. Dunham herself serves as director, ensuring that her unique creative vision shapes the series. The show blends comedy, drama, and romance, offering a nuanced exploration of personal growth amid romantic entanglements.
The significance of Too Much extends beyond merely being another Dunham project. It represents a potential revival of her influence in television and a reminder of her ability to craft stories that resonate emotionally while maintaining a strong, original voice. With Netflix’s global platform, the series has a unique opportunity to reach diverse audiences, inviting viewers to embrace the unpredictability of life and love with humor and heart.
As the series progresses, all eyes will be on its viewer metrics to determine whether it will secure a second season. Given the early buzz and critical acclaim, expectations are high that Too Much could successfully fill the gap left by Girls, establishing itself as a contemporary favorite in the romantic comedy genre.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Lena Dunham have OCD?
A. Conditions like OCD can be managed effectively, but sometimes they return. The first difficult step is recognizing when these behaviors resurface so you can regain control. This storyline is sensitive because Lena Dunham has personally dealt with OCD.
Q. What Taylor Swift song is about Lena Dunham?
A. Taylor Swift said her friends, Antonoff and writer-actress Lena Dunham, inspired the song. Dunham called it her “future wedding tune.” Swift mentioned that creating “You Are in Love” was sometimes tough and dull.
