HBO Revives 'Girls' for 2027 Limited Run Without Adam Driver and Jenni Konner

Key points

• HBO confirmed a five-episode limited run of 'Girls' with production starting in 2027, a decade after the original series finale.
• Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet, and Andrew Rannells are confirmed to return as the core cast.
• Adam Driver, who played Hannah's love interest, is absent from the revival, as is co-showrunner Jenni Konner.
• Judd Apatow will return as executive producer, while Dunham will create, write, and direct the new episodes.
• The announcement coincides with the recent $111bn merger making HBO part of Skydance.

Background

The original 'Girls' series ran for six seasons from 2012 to 2017, earning 19 Emmy nominations and two wins. Dunham, who created the show at age 23, has since launched the Netflix series 'Too Much' and the indie film 'Sharp Stick.' In September 2026, she welcomed her first child via surrogacy after years of fertility struggles, as reported in our archive. The new limited run arrives as Dunham approaches her 40th birthday, a milestone she cited as the catalyst for revisiting the characters.

How outlets are covering it

All three sources agree on the core facts: a five-episode limited run, 2027 production start, and the return of Dunham, Williams, Kirke, Mamet, and Rannells. The Guardian and Deadline emphasize the absence of Adam Driver and Jenni Konner, linking it to Dunham's 2026 memoir 'Famesick,' which alleged Driver was verbally aggressive on set and detailed a broken relationship with Konner. The BBC notes that Driver and Konner were absent from HBO's official statement and that Dunham's memoir alleged Driver's behavior was physically imposing. Deadline adds that Dunham previously suggested specific plotlines for the characters, such as Marnie being on her third marriage and Jessa living on a boat in Croatia, but these are not confirmed for the new run. The Guardian highlights the Skydance merger context, while BBC and Deadline focus on the cast dynamics and Dunham's personal reflections.

Why it matters

The revival marks a significant return for a culturally influential series that defined millennial television. The absence of key figures like Driver and Konner signals a shift in the show's creative direction, reflecting Dunham's evolving perspective and personal experiences since the original run. The timing, tied to Dunham's 40th birthday and recent memoir, suggests a narrative focused on maturity and reflection rather than the original's focus on early adulthood.

What to watch

HBO has not yet announced the title, plot details, or additional casting for the limited run. Production is scheduled to begin in 2027, with no release date confirmed. Dunham has expressed uncertainty about whether the series will still be called 'Girls,' joking that the cast is 'old as f-.' Further announcements are expected as production approaches.