Lena Dunham Considers 'Girls' Spinoff Centered on Shoshanna Shapiro

In a recent interview, Lena Dunham, the creator of the critically acclaimed series 'Girls', addressed the potential for a spinoff focused on the character Shoshanna Shapiro, portrayed by Zosia Mamet. This discussion arises amid a resurgence of interest in the original series, which has continued to resonate with audiences since its conclusion in 2017. Dunham expressed her fondness for Shoshanna, stating, 'I love Shoshanna. I am on record as saying she is my favorite girl,' during an episode of the 'Not Skinny But Not Fat' podcast aired on July 8, 2025.

Dunham elaborated on her admiration for Mamet's portrayal, remarking, 'It was such a joy to watch Zosia be her.' She noted that Shoshanna is the character most likely to 'go places' out of the four main girls, suggesting a strong potential for a narrative exploring Shoshanna's journey. 'If there was, like, the right context for us to do it, I’d be thrilled,' she added, indicating her openness to revisiting the character in a new format.

Mamet has echoed Dunham's sentiments, expressing her desire for a spinoff in previous podcast appearances. In a January 2025 episode, she stated, 'I’m trying to get Lena to write a Shosh spinoff. I’ve been, like, slowly working on her. We’ll see. She seems receptive.' This collaborative spirit underscores the strong chemistry between the two creators and their mutual affection for the character.

The idea of a 'Girls' spinoff has been a topic of interest for Dunham since the original show's finale, which aired on April 16, 2017. In the final episode, Shoshanna’s unexpected engagement surprised both viewers and her fellow characters, indicating a significant shift in her storyline. In a retrospective interview, Dunham noted that Shoshanna's character was designed to break away from the group dynamics, stating, 'We love Zosia, and we want her acting all of the time.'

While Dunham has shown enthusiasm for revisiting the 'Girls' universe, HBO, the network behind the original series, has been cautious about any immediate plans for a revival. In a January 2022 interview with 'The Hollywood Reporter', HBO’s head of programming, Casey Bloys, remarked, 'As proud of the show as we are, there aren’t any plans to bring 'Girls' back. It’s great to know new viewers will continue to discover the [original] series.' This sentiment reflects the network's strategy of allowing the original series to maintain its legacy while exploring new narratives in the television landscape.

As Dunham prepares for the premiere of her new Netflix series 'Too Much', which loosely draws from her real-life romance with husband Luis Felber, the possibility of a Shoshanna-centered spinoff remains a tantalizing prospect for fans. With both Dunham and Mamet expressing interest, the future of Shoshanna Shapiro may yet hold new adventures, capturing the hearts of viewers once more. For now, audiences will have to wait and see if the right context for such a project emerges.

The ongoing discussions around a potential spinoff highlight not only the enduring popularity of 'Girls' but also the evolving landscape of storytelling in television, where character-driven narratives remain paramount. As creators like Dunham continue to explore their artistic visions, the possibility of revisiting beloved characters may breathe new life into established franchises, offering fresh perspectives and narratives that resonate with both old and new audiences.