HBO's acclaimed series Girls is officially set to return to television screens. The show, which originally aired for six seasons between 2012 and 2017, will be revived for a five-episode limited run, according to an announcement from the network. The news follows a ten-year hiatus since the series concluded its original narrative arc in New York City.
Lena Dunham, who created, wrote, and starred in the original series, shared the update via a mock video conference call featuring original cast members Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet, and Andrew Rannells. All five actors are confirmed to return for the project, with production slated to commence in 2027. Judd Apatow, who served as an executive producer and was instrumental in securing the show's initial green light from HBO, will return in his capacity as executive producer for the revival.
The original series, which garnered 19 Emmy nominations and two wins, became a cultural touchstone by documenting the turbulent lives of four friends—Hannah, Marnie, Jessa, and Shoshanna—during their twenties. Reflecting on the decision to revisit the material, Dunham stated that she had been waiting for a specific narrative thread to justify a return. She noted that the characters began to resonate with her again around the time of her 40th birthday, providing a new perspective on how they might navigate their lives in the present day.
Amy Gravitt, executive vice-president of HBO programming, expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting the significant shift in context from the show's original run. Gravitt stated that while the world has evolved substantially since audiences last saw the main characters, the network anticipates that both long-time fans and new viewers will be interested to see how the group has grown over the intervening years.
Despite the return of the central cast, some notable figures from the original series were absent from the announcement. Actor Adam Driver, who played a breakout role as the on-and-off love interest of Dunham’s character, was not included in the official statement. Furthermore, Dunham recently addressed her professional relationship with former co-showrunner and executive producer Jenni Konner in her 2026 memoir, Famesick, confirming that Konner is not part of the upcoming revival project.
During the virtual reunion call, Dunham humorously questioned whether the show could still carry the title Girls, given the age of the cast. Since the conclusion of the series in 2017, Dunham has remained active in the industry, having created the 2025 Netflix series Too Much and the indie film Sharp Stick. The upcoming revival project marks a return to the characters that initially launched the careers of its primary cast members.
As the production moves toward its 2027 start date, fans remain expectant of what the new episodes will entail. Dunham has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to revisit a creative work with a fresh perspective, describing the process as a rare chance to return to a project with new knowledge. While the specific plot details remain under wraps, the focus will primarily shift from the early-life struggles depicted in the original show to the milestone of entering middle age.
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