‘Too Much’ Stars Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe Unpack That Finale Wink

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[This story contains major spoilers from the first season of Too Much.]

Lena Dunham emphasizes that Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe, the leads in her popular Netflix romantic comedy-drama series titled ‘Too Much’, are not portraying Lena herself or her husband, musician Luis Felber.

Drawing inspiration from personal experiences – an American woman relocating to England in pursuit of a new beginning and encountering and falling for a British musician – Dunham and Felber, who co-created Too Much, emphasized that they employed their own love narrative as a foundation for the much-anticipated resurgence of Dunham’s career on television.

Dunham expressed great gratitude for the shared experience and mentioned that as actors joined, the characters evolved, deviating from their original forms. She explained this to The Hollywood Reporter at the Tribeca Film Festival recently. While the initial concept may have been autobiographical, it has journeyed into realms she never fathomed before.

For comedian Stalter, who became a scene-stealer on the show “Hacks”, the role in “Too Much” turned out to be an unexpected present from creator Dunham. She wrote the female character’s voice with Stalter in mind after discovering her videos on TikTok. “I’ve always been intrigued and wanted to do more dramatic work, so this was a dream role,” Stalter says to THR. “It felt like stepping into something new — really exciting and sometimes challenging.

In the story titled “Too Much“, Stalter plays the role of Jessica Salmon, a 30-something New Yorker who’s trying to move on from a broken relationship. Instead of finding love in an enchanting British setting as in Jane Austen novels, she takes a job in London helping filmmakers make commercials. However, her plans for a romantic adventure take an unexpected turn when she encounters Felix Remen (Sharpe), a musician with a grunge style, who performs at a local pub. Despite the initial disappointment of her romantic dreams not materializing, Jessica finds herself strongly attracted to Felix.

In their fresh romance, each individual carries personal burdens from their past. For instance, Jessica was emotionally wounded by her previous partner who exploited her vulnerabilities before abandoning her for a younger social media influencer (Emily Ratajkowski). On the other hand, Felix, a recovering addict with a history of reconnecting with former lovers, experienced neglect from his parents and was victimized sexually by a nanny as a child. The initial season, spanning 10 episodes, delves into whether Jessica and Felix can conquer their individual past traumas and destructive tendencies to establish a successful relationship.

In the passage below, Stalter and Sharpe candidly discuss their collaboration with Dunham in crafting their on-screen chemistry, explain why their characters’ weighty emotional past enhances their romantic bond, and express their belief that the series finale did not mark the end of the journey for these two lovebirds.

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Since the concept behind this series stemmed from a deeply personal aspect, could you tell me about the talks you had with Lena prior to and post-signing the contract, and how those dialogues influenced the way you developed these characters?

As a big fan, I’ve been intrigued by the show given its strong resemblance to their real-life bond yet not being a documentary. While portraying Lena and Jessica, I found myself pondering which aspects of their personas resonated with my own experiences. When embodying characters, I often consider the nuances of similarities and differences. Thankfully, we had numerous discussions about these personal connections, which made the whole process incredibly liberating. There was no need to mimic them, but being in their presence served as a constant source of inspiration.

WILL SHARPE From the outset, our initial discussions centered around the fictitious realm of the series. Immediately, it felt as though: Lena and Lu were not the actual characters. The concept’s seed was rooted in personal experiences, yet she strongly endorsed us to mold these characters according to our own interpretations. Already on paper, they belonged to us. She has an uncanny ability to adapt roles to suit the actor and exhibits a genuine interest in everyone involved.

During our initial encounter, I found several points of connection. She had portrayed Felix as multiracial, much like myself, since Lu is half-Peruvian. Interestingly enough, Lu migrated to England at the age of 8, which coincidentally was the same year I moved from Japan to England. As we delved deeper into our conversation, it seemed as though she was probing, “How would you approach this? What aspects would captivate you? What could possibly be fulfilling for you?

ANSWER The things about Jessica remind me of myself and Lena as well. We all share a connection through falling for people who are quite unlike us. When I first met her, there was an instant bond – it felt like we’d been friends for ages. Like us, she is deeply attached to her pets. There are many similarities between the three of us.

Was there a reading session to test your on-screen chemistry, particularly since it’s crucial for both the success of a romantic comedy-drama and any show in general?

In other words, our discussions about the project with Lena date back quite some time. I believe it was an initial plot synopsis for the series that I first encountered, before the actual scripts were drafted. What made things easier was that we didn’t engage in excessive rehearsals; instead, we had only a day or two of rehearsal. We had a fleeting encounter once in L.A., but it was by chance. Our first proper meeting took place at the [production company] Working Title on the rehearsal day.

To Stalter, I must admit that I didn’t have a deep understanding of your personality or your demeanor when our filming began. However, since the characters were discovering each other, it seemed to create an authentic tension in the scenes where we were both still trying to understand one another. This added depth to our performances and made them more genuine.

Lena is incredibly skilled at character casting. She excels at creating and understanding her characters deeply. I recall a time when you, Sharpe, were mentioned as the ideal choice for the role she had in mind.

SHARPE Same.

As a die-hard admirer of Will’s talent, I had faith in Lena’s judgment. I just knew we’d spark something special together on set. From the moment we began filming, it was clear that our connection was undeniable.

SHARPE Tthe show is sort of about them trying to figure out if there is chemistry.

STALTER Exactly.

SHARPE It’s also worth mentioning that your humor from the show Hacks caught my attention. A good sense of humor is essential in fostering a comfortable atmosphere, so being able to find humor even in tough situations was always beneficial. If we ever found ourselves wondering, “How are we going to solve this problem?”, knowing that we could laugh about it made the process easier.

STALTER I share your sentiment. I found it comfortable to be humorous, yet I didn’t anticipate how far I could push the boundaries. However, as we began filming, I discovered that you enjoy my eccentric performances. (Laughs).

What initially attracted Jessica and Felix to one another, and what keeps them reuniting even with their shared history of issues, can you explain this intriguing dynamic?

STALTER It seems to me that the phrase “opposites attract” is often used because people find in the other person qualities they admire or desire themselves. For instance, Felix and Jessica have distinct personalities – Felix is cool in a unique way compared to Jessica. Their differences are quite stark. An interesting observation we made was that when Felix feels at ease, he becomes talkative. On the flip side, when Jessica is uneasy, she talks more. However, when she’s comfortable, she tends to be quieter. In essence, they complement each other well, like two sides of a coin – one outgoing and the other more reserved, yet they balance each other out. Do you concur with this perspective?

In simpler terms, during our first shoot, there was an awkward moment on the couch where one character left the apartment and listened to music. I asked Lena (the actress playing the other character) what might have prompted him to turn around. She suggested it could be a gut feeling or something drawing him back because both characters carry baggage but are trying to start fresh. They may find common ground despite their differences, perhaps stemming from shared vulnerability.

In the end, they come to appreciate each other. Jessica finds herself drawn to Felix as she recognizes her uniqueness might be too much for some, but he finds it appealing and sees it as a positive trait. Her previous partner disliked their differences, while Felix appears captivated by them.

In a heartwarming manner, They’re incredibly accepting of one another, not just the pleasant aspects they choose to show. In episode [seven], I found it deeply touching when she sang him a lullaby, revealing hints as to why his defenses are so high. Initially, we tried to gauge how far Felix could push Jess away, but Jess persisted in approaching him. Even when Felix pushed her away, saying things like “Keep your distance. You don’t want to see this side of me. I don’t want you to know about these aspects of me,” Jess continued to draw near. What moved me the most was that she didn’t judge him for it; instead, those very traits seemed to strengthen their bond. It seems that strong relationships are forged in such a way – by discovering the things that people fear or feel ashamed about.

Felix often sleeps with various women and rarely shows his feelings, which makes me wonder if some of your analysis involved determining where Felix stands emotionally at any moment. In your opinion, what is it that Felix truly seeks? When developing the character, how did you consider his inner self beyond his observable actions?

As a devoted admirer, I can see he yearns for security, yet he’s navigated life with a protective shield, honing survival mechanisms that keep him distant from vulnerability. This cool demeanor, however, conceals walls built high. Our conversations about his compulsions—the addiction, the patterns masking his deeper emotions, the fears he harbors—were not unfamiliar. Lena and I often mused, “We should allow these complexities to neither hinder nor harm our bond.” I recall expressing, “Whatever depths you wish to explore in your tales, I’m ready to journey alongside you. Let’s make the journey challenging, pushing them to their limits. The more obstacles they must overcome to reconnect, the stronger that connection will be.

As a gamer, I adore how imperfect these characters are, constantly stumbling and making mistakes like, “I’m aiming for redemption and trying to improve myself.” If they could truly nail that transformation, the story would be captivating beyond belief. It’s their vulnerabilities, flaws, and damaged aspects that make us root for them, wanting to shield them from harm.

During one late-night episode at Jessica’s apartment with Felix, there are a blend of intimate moments, including sex scenes and heartfelt conversations. As the season progressed, how did you strategize to enhance the feelings of closeness between your characters? Also, what insights can be gained about each character by observing their interactions when they are alone together behind closed doors?

In an episode that unfolds throughout a single late night in Jessica’s apartment with Felix, we see a combination of romantic scenes and intimate conversations. As the season developed, how did you work to strengthen the bond between your characters? What can we learn about each character by watching their behavior behind closed doors during these private moments?

In simpler terms, the script was daringly written, and Netflix bravely chose a two-character, indoor setting for the night scenes. This is a testament to Lena’s exceptional writing and directing skills as she successfully portrayed a difficult-to-describe sensation that happens when you first meet someone – a quiet excitement, a sense of mystery, and a subtle self-revelation. The hours seem to fly by, leaving you wondering how an entire night disappeared so quickly. However, Lena made us feel secure and handled those scenes with tender care. We rehearsed it several times until we fully understood the mood, and Lena would tweak and experiment with it. Sometimes, she even let us tinker with it. By the time we started shooting, it felt like we were truly immersed in that space. Is this an accurate summary?

STALTER Indeed, it seemed incredibly authentic, and that’s all thanks to the writing. Lena is an exceptionally self-assured director and writer who managed to create such a feeling. It’s much like encountering someone for the first time when you think, “Could this be the one I marry?” (Laughs.) only to realize later that you barely know them! That’s the kind of night where you want to stay awake, but you find yourself compelled to sleep. The dialogue is so natural and realistic; they discuss a myriad of topics as if in a real conversation.

SHARPE Everything and nothing. (Laughs.)

Since the days of “Girls,” there’s been a significant shift in filming sex scenes, and some of Lena’s past co-stars have expressed the importance of having an intimacy coordinator back then. What were your thoughts on working with an intimacy coordinator during the production of Too Much?

I found it incredibly beneficial. I’ve never engaged in such scenes before. Our intimacy supervisor, Miriam [Lucia], has been simply fantastic. I felt incredibly secure with her and Lena and Will, and it was immensely helpful for me to know precisely what would transpire, for how long, and the intended purpose of the scene.

SHARPE They simplified everything for us, clearly explaining each step. Lena understood, “I merely require this shot for seven seconds, and we’ll likely do it only twice.” The effect of these shots in the final production differs from what we experienced during filming. It was more like a sterile, systematic process.

STALTER We never overshot anything. She knows exactly what she needs.

Did I anticipate that the spit scene would spark such a conversation among viewers, all by itself, in the trailer? Who came up with the concept of Felix spitting into Jess’ mouth?

or

Were we expecting the spit scene to generate so much discussion, just from the trailer alone? Who thought it would be a good idea for Felix to spit on Jess in the first place?

STALTER Well, that was in the script.

SHARPE Yeah, in the script.

STALTER I hadn’t given much thought to that since I figured it was just a brief, fleeting instance that people should move past. If they kiss, well, there might be some saliva exchange. [Sharpe chuckles.]

THOMAS It’s the first time I heard about it thanks to you all. You asked me, “Have you heard of this?” And I responded, “Heard of what?” (Chuckles.)

Then, there’s a headline that left him puzzled, saying something like “Huh?” Moving on… If individuals are engaging in a kiss, they’re essentially swapping saliva!

Music plays a significant role in “Too Much,” largely due to its integral part in the romantic journey of Lena, Luis, and now Jessica and Felix. Did you have any input regarding the songs that Felix performs within the series? Have you ever sung on screen prior to this?

SHARPE I haven’t performed onscreen before, but I used to be in bands during my teenage years, more like high school garage band experiences. When working with Lu, we collaborated on his music extensively. All the songs were his originals, which I admired and had a hand in shaping. We considered around 10 songs, trying to decide which ones I felt most comfortable performing. Sometimes, I made minor adjustments to the guitar parts or played them differently so that I could sing and play simultaneously. We strived to record as much of it live as possible, aiming for a somewhat rougher, more authentic realism compared to overly polished performances that might appear unrealistic.

The standout feature of the final episode’s song initially was a solo guitar piece. I proposed changing it to a piano performance for several reasons. Firstly, I’m more adept on the piano, and secondly, I thought it would add an intriguing layer of vulnerability to this rough-edged character. We shifted it to a different key to challenge my vocal range, again with the intention of making it less comfortable. Despite the challenges, I enjoyed that aspect of it. It was nerve-wracking at times, but Lu and his producer Matt were incredibly supportive and helpful throughout. Additionally, we had band rehearsals where Prasanna [Puwanarajah] learned to play drums in just two days. It was simply awe-inspiring!

What aspects of himself can Felix reach or express through music that he might not be able to in regular, day-to-day conversations?

As a gamer immersed in the captivating world of “SHARPE”, I can’t help but appreciate the depth and complexity of character development. Playing Felix, who communicates some of his feelings through music instead of words, was truly intriguing. There’s a scene where he acknowledges that music helps him make sense of things, and I believe this sentiment resonates with me as well.

Jess is a character who openly shares her emotions, and even in our intense confrontation in the finale, Felix struggles to express himself verbally. It seems that some of his unspoken feelings might find their way into his music, and I must say, I was moved by the lyrics in his final song. I think it’s a stunning composition penned by Lu – a beautiful expression of character development and narrative progression.

Meg, the pinnacle of Lena Dunham’s show Girls, was recognized for its raw and sometimes contentious portrayal of adolescence in women. The discussions surrounding that series often reflected a broader cultural debate about the intricacies of female characters and whether audiences require or prefer them to be likable. Since Too Much is also a Lena Dunham project, and your character might be perceived as divisive by some viewers, what are your thoughts on the possibility that Jessica could become the next central female character to spark such debates?

I’m utterly captivated by Lena’s exceptional talent in crafting characters that genuinely resonate with real-life complexity. It’s not often you find individuals who are purely likable all the time, and this authentic portrayal is a significant draw for me. This trait is beautifully exemplified in the show Hacks, where viewers have had strong reactions like, “Oh my God, we’re obsessed with Kayla,” or “oh my God, she’s the most annoying character.

SHARPE Do you want me to murder them? (Laughs.)

STALTER (PARAPHRASED) It’s fascinating to me that Will is quite upset about it. Personally, I don’t usually pay much attention to online opinions, but this situation piqued my interest. Moreover, as a stand-up for such a long time, I’ve been in situations where my comedy wasn’t well-received by the audience.

If nobody’s enjoyed my humor, chances are they haven’t liked yours either. (Laughs.) But isn’t that what the show is all about? It’s a message saying, “Don’t be afraid to be who you are. You’ll find those who resonate with you and understand you, so why hide?” I think the show is already addressing this important discussion.

Consider if all characters on “Girls” were consistently nice and sweet throughout each episode. It would undeniably be quite dull. The intrigue comes from enjoying the character despite their flaws, then empathizing with them again. I find it fascinating, and that’s what I prefer to watch – a complex portrayal of human nature.

At the end of the first season, Jessica and Felix tie the knot, yet their future isn’t guaranteed to be all sunshine and rainbows. If there is a chance for a second season, what aspects would you both be eager to delve deeper into?

I believe Lena may have the answer. She’s been contemplating this matter and has some thoughts. To be honest, I was considering fabricating something, but let’s see what she comes up with instead. (Chuckles.)

Please feel free!

STALTER It would be hilarious to see a complete storyline from Lena. Her writing always takes us by surprise. With Girls, each season was so unpredictable, leaving us thinking, “Who could have seen that coming?” So I’m eager to discover where her imagination might take the characters next, because marriage certainly doesn’t mean everything becomes easy and perfect from then on, and there are still plenty of stories left to be told.

SHARPE There’s a line that [Will’s] like, “How long should we stay married?”

STALTER And [Jessica’s] like, “Wait, you’re kidding, right?”

It seems likely that Lena intended to subtly mock the idealistic conclusion with a casual wink towards the audience, hinting at potential complications ahead. Therefore, the essence of mystery and uncertainty remains embedded within the finale.

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Too Much is now streaming on Netflix.

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2025-07-12 18:26