HBO Max marks first series pick-up with Lena Dunham’s ‘Generation’

Lena Dunham

HBO Max has handed a series order to a high school-set comedy drama produced by Girls creator Lena Dunham.

Generation, which was ordered to pilot earlier this year, marks the first show to get picked up to series at the streamer.

Created by 18-year-old Zelda Barnz and her father Daniel Barnz, the 10-part series follows a group of high school students growing up in a conservative community while exploring their sexuality.

Daniel Barnz directed the pilot and also exec produces along with Ben Barnz for We’re Not Brothers Productions, with Zelda co-exec producing.

Dunham is EP under her Good Thing Going Productions banner, while Marissa Diaz of Good Thing Going produces.

The series commission follows plans by the WarnerMedia-backed streamer to secure more female-skewing content aimed at a Gen Z demographic, as execs Sarah Aubrey, head of original content, and Sandra Dewey, president of business operations and productions, told TBI earlier this week.

Dunham said: “I have fallen head over heels for this brilliant family, who have allowed their 18-year-old daughter Zelda to express herself in a way that’s both effortlessly funny and plumbs the depths of the adolescent experience.

“Daniel’s direction is sensitive and artful and as a producer, Ben is equally committed to rigor and fun. I cannot wait for people to see Zelda’s brilliance come to life and to meet this insanely impressive cast of honest, powerful performers and I’m so excited to be a part of the soon to be juggernaut of HBO Max.”

Zelda Barnz added: “I wanted to see myself and kids my own age represented on TV in a way that felt real, without judgement or nostalgia. I’m so appreciative of my mentor and soul-sister Lena Dunham for all her support and guidance, and so thankful to HBO Max for making this crazy dream come true.”