HBO Orders Five-Episode 'Girls' Revival for 2027

Key points

• HBO has greenlit a five-episode limited run of 'Girls,' with production set to start in 2027.
• Lena Dunham will reprise her role as Hannah and serve as executive producer alongside Judd Apatow.
• Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet, and Andrew Rannells are confirmed to return as co-executive producers.
• Adam Driver, who played Adam, is not involved in the revival, nor is former co-showrunner Jenni Konner.
• Dunham stated the return was triggered by specific stories about the characters turning 40, such as motherhood and menopause.

Background

The original 'Girls' series aired on HBO from 2012 to 2017, earning 19 Emmy nominations and two wins. In September 2026, Dunham announced the birth of her first child via surrogacy, a development that aligns with her recent comments about the characters entering their 40s. This revival follows a similar trend at HBO, which recently greenlit an eight-episode series adaptation of 'Crazy Rich Asians' featuring the original film cast, also scheduled for 2027 production.

How outlets are covering it

All four outlets (Deadline, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and TheWrap) confirm the five-episode order and the 2027 production start. Variety and The Hollywood Reporter emphasize the absence of Adam Driver and Jenni Konner, linking it to Dunham’s memoir 'Famesick,' which detailed conflicts with both. TheWrap highlights a promotional video where Dunham jokingly questions if the show can still be called 'Girls' given the cast's age. While Deadline notes Dunham’s recent Netflix project 'Too Much,' Variety focuses on the show’s critical legacy and the specific character arcs Dunham outlined in 2025, such as Marnie’s third marriage and Jessa living in Croatia.

Why it matters

The revival signals a shift in HBO’s comedy strategy toward limited-run revivals of culturally significant millennial-era shows. It also highlights the changing dynamics of the original creative team, as Dunham proceeds without her former co-showrunner, reflecting the personal and professional rifts detailed in her recent memoir.

What to watch

Production is expected to begin in summer 2027. HBO has not yet released a specific premiere date, but the limited run suggests a single-season release. Industry attention will focus on how the show addresses the characters' current lives, particularly regarding motherhood and career changes, as described by Dunham.