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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Girls

Girls is an American comedy-drama television series created by and starring Lena Dunham.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Girls is an American comedy-drama television series created by and starring Lena Dunham. The series follows four young women in New York City as they navigate friendships, work, relationships, and adulthood after college. It aired on HBO from 2012 to 2017, spanning six seasons.

Premise

Girls follows Hannah Horvath and her friends as they try to build careers, manage relationships, and define their identities in New York City after college. The series is set around the challenges of early adulthood.

Production and creation

The series was created by Lena Dunham, who also stars in it and drew on aspects of her own life for the character of Hannah. Judd Apatow served as an executive producer.

Cast

The core ensemble features Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath, Allison Williams as Marnie Michaels, Jemima Kirke as Jessa Johansson, and Zosia Mamet as Shoshanna Shapiro. Other notable cast members include Adam Driver, Alex Karpovsky, and Andrew Rannells.

Reception and themes

Girls is associated with commentary on postfeminism, body politics, and female sexuality. It has also been discussed as a more realistic portrayal of young women’s lives in their twenties.

Key facts

  • The series centers on four twentysomething women living in New York City.
  • Lena Dunham created the series and plays the lead character, Hannah Horvath.
  • The main cast includes Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, and Zosia Mamet.
  • The show premiered on HBO in 2012 and ended in 2017.
  • The series ran for 6 seasons and 62 episodes.
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Canadian context

Canadian viewers may know Girls through HBO and streaming platforms carrying HBO/Max content in Canada, subject to regional availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is the TV show Girls about?
Girls follows four young women in New York City as they navigate friendships, careers, relationships, and the transition into adulthood after college.
Who created Girls?
Girls was created by Lena Dunham.
Who stars in Girls?
The main cast includes Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, and Zosia Mamet.
How many seasons of Girls are there?
Girls has 6 seasons.
Where can I watch Girls?
It has been available on HBO and on the HBO/Max streaming service, depending on region and current licensing.
Is Girls based on a book?
No. Girls is an original television series; it is not based on a book.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls_(TV_series)
    Supports: Created by Lena Dunham; premise; cast; themes; original run.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Girls_episodes
    Supports: 6 seasons; 62 episodes; original airing dates.
  3. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/girls
    Supports: Premise; main characters; HBO network; premiere date.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/girls
    Supports: Synopsis; 6 seasons; creator; cast; HBO Max availability.
  5. HBO Max — https://www.hbomax.com/shows/girls/2262487a-fc52-4543-901d-c07d92ad8844
    Supports: 6 seasons; cast; series description; availability on HBO Max.
  6. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1723816/
    Supports: Series description; creator; stars; original run.