The new Netflix romantic comedy series Too Much, created by Lena Dunham and her husband Luis Felber, centers on Jessica (Megan Stalter), a woman reeling from a devastating breakup. Seeking a fresh start, she accepts a work assignment in London as a producer, leaving behind a supportive family that includes her sister (Dunham), mother (Rita Wilson), and grandmother (Rhea Perlman). In England, she meets Felix (Will Sharpe), a musician, and the two stumble into a complicated romance, both weighed down by significant emotional baggage.
While the premise may seem conventional, the series excels in its execution. Stalter, known for her role in Hacks, delivers a winning performance as a rom-com heroine who is both comically expressive and emotionally grounded. Her character’s fixation on her ex’s new girlfriend (Emily Ratajkowski) stems not from simple jealousy, but from a deeper resentment of the curated, effortless perfection projected online, which feels at odds with her own difficult reality. Too Much fully embraces its genre, delivering a genuine romantic comedy without attempting to deconstruct or “elevate” it, a strength exemplified by its impeccable meet-cute.
The show truly finds its footing by investing as much in Felix’s story as it does in Jessica’s. Rather than a one-sided narrative, it becomes a dual portrait of two damaged individuals. Felix is contending with his own precarious sobriety, a stalling music career, and unresolved pain from an unhappy childhood. This shared vulnerability creates a dynamic where the primary obstacles to their happiness are internal, arising from their histories and personalities rather than external plot devices.
They connect immediately, and their physical and emotional chemistry is clear. Dunham, who directs most of the episodes, continues her practice of depicting sex as occasionally awkward and messy but also joyful and integral to the characters’ connection. The central conflict isn’t about whether they like each other, but whether they can overcome their personal demons to build a future together.
The series is further distinguished by the tropes it skillfully avoids. Jessica’s body type is never presented as a source of insecurity or an obstacle to being loved. Furthermore, while she obsesses over her ex’s new partner, the story directs its critique toward the ex himself, Zev (Michael Zegen), rather than pitting the two women against each other.
A strong ensemble cast enriches the world of the show. Richard E. Grant plays Jessica’s eccentric British boss, Naomi Watts is his endearing wife, and Andrew Rannells appears as her brother-in-law. The cast also includes Janicza Bravo as a savvy co-worker, Kaori Momoi and Stephen Fry as Felix’s parents, and a humorous cameo by Andrew Scott.
Though some plot points and a rushed ending feel slightly undercooked and don’t quite match the emotional authenticity of the preceding episodes, Too Much remains a deeply affecting series. Its success rests on the stellar performances of Stalter and Sharpe, who convincingly portray two people who are both wonderful and wounded, making their journey toward each other both plausible and compelling.
