Girls creator Lena Dunham prioritizes mental health, steps back from acting and directing

Lena Dunham cites the toll that public scrutiny of her body took during her time on "Girls."

Lena Dunham, the creator and star of the hit HBO series "Girls," is prioritizing her mental health over acting and directing roles. In a recent interview with The New Yorker, Dunham revealed she will not be appearing in her upcoming Netflix series "Too Much," despite its semi-autobiographical nature. She also shared that she has stepped away from directing the "Polly Pocket" film.

Dunham explained her decision to step back from on-screen roles, citing the toll that public scrutiny of her body took during her time on "Girls." She expressed a desire to protect herself and focus on creating work that feels essential to her. While she initially planned to star in "Too Much," she ultimately cast comedian Megan Stalter in the lead role, praising Stalter's talent and expressing confidence in her ability to bring the character to life.

The multi-hyphenate also discussed her evolving definition of success, emphasizing the importance of self-care and doing what's necessary to continue creating meaningful work. She credited staying off social media for six years as a key factor in maintaining her mental well-being.