Girls

About Girls

Girls is a comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO in 2012. The show was created by and stars Lena Dunham, who based the series on some aspects of her own life. The show centres around four young women living in New York City and their various personal and professional dramas. Though it's a comedy, Girls is also known for handling serious issues like mental health, body image, and consent.

Making / Production

The series was produced by Lena Dunham, Judd Apatow and Jenni Konner, among others. Apatow's involvement in the series came after he saw Dunham's breakout film, 'Tiny Furniture', and reached out to her to develop a project for HBO. Girls was shot partially in New York City locations and partially on-set at Silvercup Studios.

Actors

• Lena Dunham - played the lead role of Hannah Horvath, a writer struggling to find her footing in New York City. Dunham was applauded for her realistic portrayal of a 20-something woman facing career and relationship struggles.
• Allison Williams - portrayed Marnie Michaels, Hannah's best friend. Williams' character was known for her on-and-off relationships and her attempts at becoming a singer.
• Jemima Kirke - starred as Jessa Johansson, a globe-trotting, free-spirit who often finds herself in troubling situations. Kirke brought depth to a character who could easily be seen as just carefree and uncommitted.
• Zosia Mamet - played Shoshanna Shapiro, the innocent and naive cousin of Jessa, who ends up being more mature than she initially seems. Mamet was commended for her comedic timing and idiosyncratic line delivery.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The character names in 'Girls' were all supposed to sound like Jane Austen characters.
• Lena Dunham wrote all the episodes of the show's first season by herself.
• Jessa's British accent on the show is Jemima Kirke's real accent.
• The brownstone where Hannah and Marnie live is in Brooklyn Heights but it's portrayed as being in Greenpoint.

Awards

Girls was acclaimed for its raw and real portrayal of life as a woman in her twenties. The series won two Golden Globe Awards: Best Television Series Comedy or Musical and Best Actress in a Television Series Comedy or Musical for Dunham. Also, Dunham has been nominated twice for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Quotes

• "I think I may be the voice of my generation. Or at least, a voice of a generation." - Hannah Horvath
• "I wouldn't be eating pizza in front of you if I liked you!" - Shoshanna Shapiro
• "I'm a beautiful and sexy and intelligent turtle" - Hannah Horvath

Music, Soundtrack

• The theme song for the show, "I Don't Wanna", was performed by duo Peter Bjorn and John.
• The series music supervision was handled by Manish Raval, who used a combination of well-known and obscure artists to create the show's distinct soundtrack.
• Notable artists featured on the soundtrack include Robyn, Sleigh Bells, Icona Pop, and Fleet Foxes.