Actress Lena Dunham Comments on Rising Conservatism

Lena Dunham recently expressed that she wasn’t surprised by the escalating visibility of conservative movements, particularly during her time working on the HBO series Girls. In a discussion on the Girls Re-watch podcast, she reflected on the misogyny she encountered from conservative circles throughout the 2010s.

“Many people appeared taken aback by the aggressive rhetoric from alt-right or MAGA supporters, but to me, it felt familiar,” Dunham noted. She recalled how hostile comments from predominantly angry men and some women analyzing her show were evident. “It was clear there were voices in Brooklyn expressing irritation, which I always respected more. But there were also conservative critiques that highlighted deeper issues about how we view ourselves and our bodies,” she added.

Recently, Dunham collaborated with Planned Parenthood to create an abortion storyline for her new Netflix show, Excessively. This move surprised many who expected a different approach given her previous work. In Girls, the character Hannah chooses to carry an unplanned pregnancy, contrasting the narrative in her latest project.

“It felt right for the story. I wanted to approach this topic honestly, without making it something for her to regret or feel ashamed about,” she commented on the new series.

After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Dunham shared that the topic became especially significant for her, revealing the fears and pain she observed surrounding abortion rights. Her intention is to represent abortion as a valid choice, one that empowers women to prioritize themselves.

“She doesn’t struggle with the decision to have an abortion; for her, it’s about choosing her own life path,” Dunham stated.