On Monday, Lena Dunham was observed warmly embracing actress Natalie Portman in Manhattan’s East Village during the production of their forthcoming Netflix romantic comedy titled Good Sex, which they are co-producing.
Ms. Dunham, aged 39, appeared in casual attire, wearing a ‘Draped Denim Slip’ maxi dress by GapStudio, retailing at approximately $148, along with a coordinating blue neckerchief and black Nike sneakers. Her outfit also revealed her tattooed arms.
The writer-director, who maintains a social media presence with approximately 3 million Instagram followers, shared an image of her on-set ensemble, captioning the post: ‘Really enjoying dressing for set and beyond this summer.’
Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman, aged 44, appeared in casual attire while on set, wearing a beige T-shirt, grey sweatpants, and white ‘Champion Canvas Lace-Up’ sneakers by Keds.
Ms. Portman (née Neta-Lee Hershlag) carried a tote bag bearing The New Yorker logo and wore dark sunglasses over a make-up-free complexion.
Later during filming, Ms. Portman transitioned into costume for her role as Ally, a newly single and professionally successful couples therapist who becomes entangled in a romantic triangle—a plotline bearing similarities to that of Celine Song’s recent romantic comedy, Materialists.
Ms. Natalie Portman, a former child actor and Academy Award winner, was seen in costume on set wearing a $2,048 Prada ‘Pleated Sablé’ shirt paired with a black mini-skirt, a $1,115 Jacquemus ‘The Calino’ ring handbag, and patent leather long-tongue loafers. The ensemble was accessorized with cat-eye sunglasses and $320 Jacquemus ‘The Rond Carré’ earrings. She was also observed holding a takeaway beverage from Café Chrystie.
In the Netflix production Good Sex, Portman portrays Ally, a successful and newly single couples therapist. Her younger romantic interest in the film—a Brooklyn-based hipster—will be portrayed by 28-year-old Gen-Z singer-songwriter Tucker Pillsbury, known professionally as Role Model, who is 16 years Portman’s junior.
The actress’s older onscreen love interest, a successful Manhattanite named Alan, will be played by actor Mark Ruffalo, aged 57, making him 13 years Portman’s senior. Portman was also seen walking and conversing with writer-director Lena Dunham en route to the film set.
Ms. Dunham, an eight-time Emmy Award nominee, provided a project update in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, stating: ‘We are about a quarter through our shoot. And as expected — no spoilers here — Natalie Portman is a very, very good actress.’
‘The film plays with the romantic comedy format to explore contemporary expectations around relationships, love, and sexuality. My favorite romantic comedies — such as When Harry Met Sally, Four Weddings and a Funeral, or Love and Basketball — all interrogate societal ideas about love within their era. That was our aim here.’
‘It has been a true joy collaborating with Natalie, Rashida Jones, Mark Ruffalo, Meg Ryan, and Tucker Pillsbury (a.k.a. Role Model). Each of them brings an exceptional degree of specificity and nuance to their roles, and I’m enjoying my time immersed in this genre.’
Of particular note, Ms. Dunham was able to recruit legendary rom-com actress Meg Ryan for a mystery role in Good Sex following a chance encounter at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert in London in August 2024.#newsafro_
