HBO RENEWS EMMY(R)-WINNING COMEDY SERIES "GIRLS," CREATED BY AND STARRING LENA DUNHAM, FOR SIXTH AND FINAL SEASON, TO BEGIN IN 2017

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6, 2016 - With the Emmy(R)-winning comedy series set to launch its fifth season Feb. 21, HBO has renewed GIRLS for a sixth and final season, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. Created by and starring Lena Dunham, the hit show takes a comic look at the assorted humiliations and rare triumphs of a group of women in their 20s. Judd Apatow, Jenni Konner, Lena Dunham, Ilene S. Landress, Murray Miller and Bruce Eric Kaplan executive produce the series.

"Lena Dunham and her brilliant collaborators, including Judd Apatow and Jenni Konner, have given HBO a signature series of rare wit and intelligence," said Lombardo. "They are exceptional talents, and I can't wait to see what Lena, Jenni and Judd have in store for the final seasons of this unique show, and look forward to working with them on future projects."

"I can't imagine a more fulfilling creative experience than GIRLS," says Dunham. "The freedom and support that HBO has given Jenni, Judd and me is something rare and beautiful. The commitment and originality of our actors has been stunning, and our crew is truly my family. I conceived of GIRLS when I was 23 and now I'm nearly 30 - the show has quite perfectly spanned my 20s, the period of time that it's about - and so it feels like the right time to wrap our story up. We look forward to creating a sixth season that will honor our amazing cast, crew and fans. And in the GIRLS universe, nothing ever ends too neatly."

In addition to Dunham, the cast of GIRLS includes Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet, Alex Karpovsky, Adam Driver, Andrew Rannells, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jake Lacy.

GIRLS was created by Lena Dunham; executive producers, Lena Dunham, Judd Apatow, Jenni Konner, Ilene S. Landress, Murray Miller and Bruce Eric Kaplan; producer, Jesse Peretz; co-producer, Sarah Heyward.