Lena Dunham is shedding light on the volatile nature of her professional relationship with former co-star Adam Driver, alleging that the actor was “short-tempered and verbally aggressive, condescending and physically imposing” during their time working together on the HBO series Girls.
These claims appear in Dunham’s new memoir, Famesick: A Memoir, where the creator and star of the hit series details a tumultuous off-screen dynamic that mirrored the toxic relationship between their on-screen characters, Hannah Horvath and Adam Sackler. According to the memoir, the tension between the two persisted throughout the show’s six-season run from 2012 to 2017, and Dunham notes that they have not spoken since the series concluded.
The allegations include specific instances of workplace volatility, ranging from erratic behavior during the filming of the pilot to physical outbursts during rehearsals. Dunham describes a pattern of behavior that left her questioning her own directorial authority and professional standing whereas leading the production.
Allegations of Physical and Verbal Aggression on Set
In Famesick, Dunham singles out several incidents that she describes as indicative of Driver’s “mercurial temperament.” One of the most striking claims involves a rehearsal for a later episode where Dunham allegedly forgot her lines. According to the memoir, Driver reacted by screaming, “FUCKING SAY SOMETHING” and “WAKE THE FUCK UP,” while hurling a chair at the wall next to her.
Further allegations of aggression include reports that Driver “punched a hole in his trailer wall” and “screamed in her face,” according to reports from Cosmopolitan. Dunham reflects on her mindset during her 20s, stating that she mistakenly believed this type of behavior was typical of “great male geniuses.”
Dunham also recalls a distressing experience during the filming of an early sex scene. She writes that her “careful blocking went out the window” and that Driver “hurled me this way and that.” In the memoir, she describes being stunned and unsure if she had “lost directorial authority” or “allowed the scene to go off the rails.” While she clarifies that she did not feel violated, she notes that she felt an intimate and primal scenario had played out in a situation she was supposed to control.
A Turbulent Professional Beginning
The friction between the two stars reportedly began almost immediately. Dunham alleges that after the filming of the series pilot, Driver walked out of the room when she showed him the episode and subsequently “didn’t answer any of my calls for the next three weeks.”
When communication was eventually restored, Dunham admits she feared the actor intended to quit the production. However, the actor allegedly explained that his abrupt exit was due to a personal hatred of watching himself on screen. Despite these early hurdles, the two continued to work together for six seasons, though Dunham describes the experience as a struggle to assert her position as the show’s writer and showrunner.
The Impact on Dunham’s Later Work
The alleged encounters with Driver had a lasting effect on Dunham’s approach to casting. In an interview with The Guardian, she admitted that she felt hesitant to cast men in subsequent projects, asking herself if she could simply “build things that only have women in them.”
Despite these hesitations, Dunham has since collaborated with several male actors and directors. She has praised the professionalism of others in the industry, citing Judd Apatow as a hero and describing actor Mark Ruffalo as a “thoughtful, sensitive, politically engaged, beautiful person.” Her recent projects include the Netflix series Too Much, directed by Will Sharpe, and a new romantic comedy titled Good Sex, which stars Ruffalo, Rashida Jones, and Meg Ryan.
Key Takeaways from the Allegations
- Memoir Revelations: In Famesick, Lena Dunham describes Adam Driver as “short-tempered,” “verbally aggressive,” and “physically imposing.”
- Specific Incidents: Allegations include Driver hurling a chair against a wall and punching a hole in a trailer wall.
- Directorial Conflict: Dunham describes feeling a loss of control during an early sex scene where she claims Driver “hurled” her around.
- Communication Breakdown: Driver reportedly ignored Dunham’s calls for three weeks following the filming of the pilot.
- Long-term Fallout: Dunham states that she and Driver have not spoken since Girls ended in 2017.
As these claims are detailed in Dunham’s memoir and subsequent interviews, the entertainment industry continues to examine the dynamics of power and behavior on television sets. There has been no official statement from Adam Driver regarding these specific allegations at this time.
For those following the developments of this story, the next confirmed checkpoint will be the wider public release and critical reception of Famesick: A Memoir. We welcome your thoughts and comments on this story in the section below.