Last week, viewers were given a sneak peek at Lena Dunham‘s imminent comeback to television through the teaser trailer of her upcoming romantic comedy series, “Too Much,” set to be streamed on Netflix beginning July 10.
During a recent panel at the Tribeca Festival, attendees got a sneak peek at the upcoming series, featuring conversations with Lena Dunham and moderator Michelle Buteau, as well as showing clips and discussing the origins of the show and what to anticipate from the Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe-led production.
Jessica, a New Yorker in her mid-thirties and a workaholic, is grappling with the aftermath of a long-term relationship’s end. Feeling estranged from everyone she knows due to her own questionable actions, she decides to move to London, seeking solitude similar to that of the Bronte sisters. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Felix, who carries a multitude of warning signs. Despite the complications he brings, their unconventional bond proves hard to ignore. The question now is: do we truly understand each other across the Atlantic? This romantic comedy, created by the mind behind ‘Girls’ and produced by ‘Love Actually’, follows the journey of disillusioned individuals who ponder if genuine love still exists, while secretly wishing it does.
However, at Tribeca, Dunham offered a more straightforward explanation of the show’s theme, which was included in her original proposal: “I aimed to create a romantic comedy that explores the chaos when a boisterous, cluttered, complex Jewish woman enters a city filled with reserved individuals – what the consequences might be.
Dunham teamed up with her spouse, Luis Felber, whom she encountered and wed in the United Kingdom, where she has resided for a while now, to develop the series.
Though the series is labeled “semi-autobiographical,” Dunham clarified that it’s more accurate to say the seed or origin of the show stemmed from their own relationship.
As a devoted admirer, let me share a fascinating tale: A young woman migrates to England. There, she encounters a captivating musician. Their connection deepens into love. However, that was merely the foundation. For he’s not just any artist; he’s an exceptional, imaginative mind who adores narratives. This transformed our shared world into something we never thought it could become – an entirely new realm. I shared this with The Hollywood Reporter before our Tribeca event. We feel incredibly fortunate to have embarked on this journey together. Naturally, as talented actors joined us, the characters evolved, shaping themselves differently due to their unique interpretations. So while the initial spark might be autobiographical, it’s ventured into realms I never could have imagined.
Discussing the unique spin on romantic comedies, Dunham stated during the panel, “Typically, obstacles for the main characters are malevolent individuals or unfortunate miscommunications, such as those at a post office. However, I believe that when meeting someone later in life, like at 35, the biggest hurdles and setbacks often stem from oneself and all the baggage accumulated over time. It’s as if you feel like a giant monster, such as Godzilla, who could potentially destroy everything with one careless step due to your past experiences. I wanted to portray a relationship where the primary challenge lies in these two individuals having lived extensive lives before they met each other, and they struggle to adapt to being with someone else or even understanding themselves.
On the show’s panel, Dunham confessed that she brought Felber on board just four weeks into their romance, stating that it was much too early, even inappropriately so, given the stage of their relationship. She admitted it was so soon that she could have discovered he had another family, and he might have been hiding it throughout their entire courtship.
However, “he had such a great sense of humor and his explanations were excellent and straightforward. It struck me as though he possessed an untapped talent. I found myself wondering, ‘Have you ever considered working in television?’ To which he replied, ‘Not really, but I suppose I might be capable.'” She continued.
Prior to the weekend’s gathering, Dunham shared with THR that collaborating with Felber on their project has strengthened their bond and deepened their comprehension of each other’s professional styles.
She expressed that both her and her partner deeply enjoy their shared work, which significantly consumes our lives. The joy of doing it side by side, she believes, provides a unique connection between us.
Despite the new series being one of Lena Dunham’s most significant small-screen productions since HBO’s “Girls” ended in early 2017, this creative polymath shared with the Tribeca Festival audience that she had been engaged in various projects, and serendipitously, this became her return platform.
She said to Buteau that perhaps people might think she had a planned, extended hiatus, only to suddenly announce, ‘I’ve found it! I’m ready to get back to work.’ However, working in television, as we all know, is often a rollercoaster of passion projects that don’t always come to fruition. In truth, she never stopped striving to bring new ideas to life. You just never know which idea will resonate with someone and receive the green light, when they say, ‘We believe in you, go ahead!’
She went on to say, “This was a project my husband and I had nurtured for some time… There were other projects I was relentlessly pursuing and trying to bring into fruition. However, sometimes one unexpectedly rises above the rest and captures your full attention. It’s as if it has crept up from behind and become my main priority. If I had managed to produce any of those other shows, you might have wondered, ‘Is she alright? This is what she chose?’ This one feels like a natural progression of the work I’ve done in the past… It’s thrilling to create something that aligns with my previous works. There has been a significant amount of personal growth and change since then, and I can’t wait to reveal how these experiences have influenced this new creation.
When THR inquired about the difference between creating “Too Much” and her previous work on “Girls”, Dunham pointed out that her extra decade of experience played a role in the comparison.
She shared that her success came from understanding the type of set I desired and the dynamic I aimed to establish, as well as having more faith in myself than before. With tremendous support during ‘Girls’, I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. However, this time was unique because I could rely on my own intuition to create a secure atmosphere.
During the panel discussion about her role as a showrunner, Lena Dunham emphasized that she encourages open communication but also values the expertise of the “exceptionally talented individuals” she employs, acknowledging that we both understand the burden of being overly supervised.
If there’s anything that makes someone feel emotionally vulnerable or uneasy, anywhere, please let me know. This is because ensuring everyone feels their work is valued and they’re recognized is my top priority. I always encourage everyone on set to speak up about any concerns. You might be the one who notices something crucial that we’ve overlooked. So it’s important for us to communicate openly with each other, and I want to be aware of those issues. However, if there’s a delay in the camera truck but no one is harmed, I’m not overly concerned.
Dunham further shared her insights on gathering such a stellar cast for the film “Too Much”, which features stars like Naomi Watts, Rhea Perlman, and Rita Wilson.
When I write, I often imagine a specific person in mind. This approach makes my writing more engaging for me and usually, it’s someone I highly respect or have a strong collaborative bond with. My aim is to create a role or part that would tempt them to join our project, which could be a TV show like this one. It’s not about inviting them to star in a major movie like ‘The Odyssey’. Instead, my goal is to write something distinctive for them – either a new type of character they haven’t played before or a role that perfectly fits their unique talents. I prefer to take risks and offer them an unconventional script that challenges them rather than providing the same familiar part they might get in other projects.
For Watts, whom Dunham had admired since her work in Mulholland Drive and envisioned her playing a comedic part similar to those she tackled at the start of her career, Dunham decided to craft a role that was not your typical elegant lady part. Instead, it was an elegant lady role with a twist – a role about an elegant lady who was secretly snorting cocaine. Dunham wanted to explore the comedic potential in Watts that she felt wasn’t often utilized due to her striking British aristocrat appearance. In every role, Dunham aimed to discover something unique and intriguing for Watts to portray, and even she was surprised that everything fell into place and everyone involved in the project showed up as planned because each character was specifically written with their respective actors in mind.
Apart from the main highlights, Dunham additionally shared brief glimpses into other amusing episodes of the show. For instance, there was an unscripted remark by Rhea Perlman that stood out, as well as a comical scene in the series inspired by a personal interaction between Perlman’s characters and another touching moment.
It was Perlman who single-handedly crafted the suggestive interaction between Dunham’s and Stalter’s characters towards the end of the teaser sequence.
Dunham commented on the panel following the screening, stating, ‘That was entirely her.’ Later, she expressed, ‘I wonder if I went too explicit.’ To which I responded, ‘Have you not been paying attention to my work?’
Instead of the original,
Dunham’s extended portrayal of that particular scene, which he labeled as resembling a “Grey Gardens-style anxiety pond,” was one of the clips displayed to the Tribeca audience.
Following its broadcast, Dunham additionally disclosed that her godson can be spotted in the scene too, portraying a teenage character who was curious as to why the older ladies weren’t out socializing instead.
As a fan, I found myself saying, “He’s just a bright high school student.” When I asked if he’d join our production, he eagerly agreed. His enthusiasm stemmed from the fact that if he participated, they had to, for academic purposes, escort him on tours of significant British war museums – a subject that intrigued him. So, he decided to be a part of it, primarily for that educational opportunity.
She shared that the character portrayed by Perlman was based on her grandmother Dorothy (or Dottie), and the show modified Perlman’s hairstyle and makeup to resemble a picture of Dunham’s relative, making Perlman appear as if she were in her 90s.
Many of these dialogues sound just like something Grandma Dottie would say, such as ‘Don’t look at me; all my friends are dead,’ which is a classic line from dear old Grandma Dottie herself,” I’d say as a gamer.
The additional clips displayed were also extended scenes from the trailer’s moments, such as Felix and Jessica having a disagreement over their mutual concerns (red flags) following Jessica’s “British Jones diaries” remark, and the duo touring Jess’ idealized vision of London, complete with a yellow house, where she portrays Julia Roberts and he dispels her illusions about the residents of that area.
Regarding the final scene, Dunham explained a broader message connected to the event: “Here, she’s attempting to tap into something she believes is romantic and glamorous, but discovers it’s actually more complex than she imagined.
Dunham also offered some deeper insight into how London affects Sharpe’s character.
Felix has grown up in London, a place where he feels understood. However, she noted, he’s reached a point where his friends might recognize him, but do they truly understand him? The individuals surrounding him express affection for him, yet there are aspects of him that he’s never been able to reveal.
She also revealed a humorous anecdote involving Jess, who was under the influence of ketamine, inquiring whether she was “the Meghan Markle among plump, white women.” Lena Dunham stated that this joke originated directly from her personal notes.
In addition, the “I’m Feeling Frisky” dance number that Felber composed was mentioned in a wedding scene. This tune, as it turns out, was inspired by a personal incident, according to Lena Dunham.
At a wedding we attended, there was a cousin who decided to take advantage of the occasion. Instead of simply celebrating the bride and groom, she used the event as a platform to introduce her upcoming EDM single. She played it, and without inviting anyone else, danced on the floor by herself. I couldn’t help but admire her confidence.
In a more solemn tone, Dunham concluded the discussion by expressing her hope that the show would bring “abundant love and happiness” as a counterbalance to the “deluge of news that is cold-hearted, distressing, and frightening.
Felber and I often discuss how challenging it is to live through these difficult times, where every day brings news that’s dehumanizing, painful, and terrifying. It can be hard for all of us, regardless of our jobs – whether we’re artists or not – to feel like we can make a difference in a world that’s filled with constant suffering, displacement, and fear. This struggle can leave you feeling empty and exhausted. I know we’ve all felt this way. So, when talking about it, I suggested that we should create something that radiates love, joy, and hope – something that wasn’t on my mind in my 20s; I just wanted people to think I was crazy. But now, I truly want to create something that’s unifying, loving, and ultimately hopeful. This, I believe, is the most powerful thing we can do as artists during these trying times – to express love, joy, and happiness.
At the gathering, Dunham, sporting a Planned Parenthood badge, expressed pride not only in wearing it, but also in collaborating with the organization. She mentioned that she had sought their guidance for a storyline in her latest show, ‘Too Much’, similar to how she and her team had consulted them during ‘Girls’.
In my role as an artist, I feel honored to contribute to the global portrayal of a strong woman who, in a self-actualized manner, seeks reproductive healthcare from a compassionate and genuine abortion clinic. These individuals are truly heroes, and it was essential for me to be part of this representation.
In an interview with THR prior to the event, Dunham explained that she wanted to express support for Planned Parenthood during this crucial period. Although television might not directly impact politics, she said, it can make normal health procedures such as abortion seem commonplace for our viewers, especially for young people who may need care at Planned Parenthood and reassure them about the warm, safe environment there.
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2025-06-20 22:26