Actor Andrew Rannells, who played Elijah Krantz on HBO's Girls, recently recounted a fan encounter that underscores how public criticism of the series has evolved nearly a decade after its 2017 finale. Speaking at the launch of Lena Dunham's book,Rannells recalled a fan telling him and Dunham that the famously self-centered characters were simply "taking care of themselves"—a far kinder read than the original backlash over their perceived selfishness. According to Rannells,the show's once-common critique has mellowed, with his co-star Dunham no longer the target of the same level of scorn.

Andrew Rannells' Airport Encounter That Changed the Narrative

According to Rannells, the interaction happened at an airport when a fan approached him and Dunham. The fan told the pair that the characters on Girls were just looking out for themselves—not being unlikable or entitled. This anecdote, shared as part of Dunham's book launch event, served as a barometer for how the public's view has softened. As the actor reported, the behavior on the show reflected a reality that not everyone wanted to accept when it first aired, but that view seems to be shifting.

The 'Selfish' Label That Defined a Generation

During its original run from 2012 to 2017, Girls was a lightning rod for criticism, particularly for its portrayal of four young women navigating post-college life in New York City. The characters were frequently called out for being self-absorbed and making poor decisions. Rannells acknowledged that the critique was valid for the time, but also pointed out that the show's depiction of flawed, self-focused millennials may have been ahead of its curve. The fan's comment suggests a re-evaluation of what was once seen as a character flaw is now being interpreted as a survival instinct.

Why Marnie Finally 'Got Justice'

Rannells specifically noted that Dunham is no longer on the receiving end of the kind of criticism she once faced, adding that "Marnie has gotten justice"—a reference to the character played by Allison Williams, often singled out as the most unlikable. The shift implies that viewers now recognize the complexity of writing a character like Marnie, whose pretentiousness was always grounded in insecurity. As the show ages, the intent behind the characters' actions becomes clearer, and the initial harsh judgment fades.

From HBO Max to Broadway: Rannells' Post-Girls Trajectory

Since Girls ended, Rannells has built a career spanning film, television, and stage, including roles in The Prom, The Boys, and the musical Hamilton. his reflection on the show comes as new audiences discover it on HBO Max. The streaming platform has given the series a second life, allowing viewers to binge-watch and reinterpret the characters without the weekly media scrutiny that originally colored reception. This context, as the report notes, is part of why the critique has changed.

A larger trend is at play:popular culture often re-evaluates controversial TV shows a decade after they end. Girls joins the ranks of Sex and the City and The Sopranos in having its legacy reconsidered. What remains unclear is whether the public's forgiveness extends to all the characters equally,or if the shift only applies to the show's primary creator. The source left open the question of how much the changed critique owes to Dunham's own evolving public persona versus a genuine artistic reassessment.