So, I was having this disussion with someone the other day about how I don’t think the show would really work if Hannah were played by someone more classically good looking. For those who don’t watch the show, Lena Dunham plays a generally unlikable character who gets naked nearly every episode. The show is obviously very polarizing (I think I like it), but even people who don’t love the show tend to credit Dunham for being brave and courageous enough to be literally and metaphorically naked on the show.
There is also the issue that her looks often make people forgive some of Hannah’s character flaws. I think it makes it easier to pity, write off, empathize with, and/or relate to her than if she were really good looking. The frequent nude scenes don’t come off as something put there to titillate when the actor is not considered desirable by most of the audience.
Now obviously some people will think that Dunham is good looking, but I think most can recognize that at least one of her co-stars is what most would consider a more traditional beauty. If we accept that Dunham is not particularly attractive, do you think the show would work if her character was played by someone who looked like Allison Williams (pic above) or Blake Lively?
