8 reasons to get excited about the new series of Girls

It’s no stranger to controversy.

From ‘too much nakedness’ from the show’s creator Lena Dunham to a racism debate and then one of its main characters walking out due to a ‘creative dispute’, Emmy-award winning show Girls has had its fair share of headlines.

But it’s back with a new series next week and we as an office are pretty damn excited about it.

Here’s why we’ll be tuning in to series three.

1 Richard E. Grant cameo

We have to admit, despite being in showbusiness for more than 20 years, we’ll always remember the British actor as grumpy manager Clifford in Spice World: The Movie.

Or you might have him etched in your mind as the perma-drunk from 80s cult classic, Withnail and I.

Having said that, something about the 56-year-old must have caught the attention of creator/executive producer/part-director Lena Dunham as she cast him as Jasper in the third series.

Expect intimate scenes with Jessa and plenty of paternal advice from the award-winning actor – and a shock twist in the second episode.

2 Marnie and Charlie

It was a massive shock when Christopher Abbott – who played Marnie’s love interest Charlie in the first two series – walked out before filming started on the third.

Whilst he has yet to publicly address the matter, it’s thought he had ‘creative differences’ with 27-year-old Lena Dunham.

At the end of the second series, Marnie and Charlie were looking to reunite as a couple – before his unexpected decision to quit.

We’ve seen the first episode and we’ve got to hand it to the show’s creators', they’ve figured out the plot pretty well.

3 Nudity

Girls hit the headlines last week when a US TV critic questioned the amount of nakedness – notably from Hannah (played by Lena Dunham) - on the show.

“I don’t get the purpose of all the nudity on the show. By [Lena], particularly,” said TV critic Tim Malloy in a press conference.

“I feel like I’m walking into a trap where you say no one complains about the nudity on Game of Thrones, but I get why they’re doing it.

"They’re doing it to be salacious. To titillate people. And your character is often naked at random times for no reason.”

In response, Lena said that ‘it’s a realistic expression of what it’s like to be alive’ and added that ‘if you’re not into me, that’s your problem.’

Executive Producer Judd Apatow told the journalist that his question was ‘sexist, offensive and misogynistic.’

Whether you’re pro or anti the sex scenes in Girls, if you’re a fan, expect to see more of it in the third series. Mainly from Lena.

4 What the heck happened to Jessa?

At the end of series two, Jessa (played by Jemima Kirke) seems to just disappear off the face of the earth.

Where she ends up in series three was something of a surprise to us – as well as her reasons for going there. Cue emotional scenes between Hannah and Jessa when they’re reunited after her absence.  

5 Natalia

In the same vein as Jessa, what happened to Natalia?!

Introduced in series two as Adam’s brief love-interest, there are no clues about what happens to her character when he reunites with Hannah at the end of series two.

One thing’s for sure though, she makes herself known in series three. That’s all we’re saying.

6 Felicity Jones cameo

We certainly weren’t expecting this one.

British actress Felicity Jones – of Chalet Girl fame – is set to appear in the third series, although no details about her role have been revealed yet.

That doesn’t stop her being BFFs with Lena Dunham, as the pair were spotted hugging together on the red carpet for the show’s UK premiere last night.

7 Hannah and Adam

They spent much of series two apart – but came together at the end of series two when Adam rescued her at her time of OCD need.

Who can forget the famous line from Adam, ‘You are the best thing in my life. I don’t know how to behave without you. I’d die if you go away.’

What happens to their relationship in series three?

8 Sex scenes

You can’t accuse the writers of shying away from the realities of sex.

They’re not afraid of showing graphic, often uncomfortable scenes between the couples – Adam and Natalia’s rendezvous springs to mind – and there’s certainly more to come where that came from in series three.

What are you excited about most? Tell us on Twitter now.

'Girls' season three kicks off on Sky Atlantic on Monday, January 20 at 10pm.

[Girls' Lena Dunham working on a new fashionable comedy TV series, we cannot wait]

[HBO Girls season 2 highlights]