Netflix’s upcoming rom-com Too Much is already shaping up to be the summer’s most talked-about series. And, why not? Because it’s packed with star powers. While the cast includes big names, one familiar face isn’t quite what fans expected: Emily Ratajkowski.

Once she danced in a controversial music video, then stole scenes as the cool girl in Gone Girl opposite Rosamund Pike. Now she is stepping back into the scripted spotlight. Created by Lena Dunham in her first TV outing since Girls, Too Much follows a newly single New Yorker in London for an unexpected romance. Cast as a glamorous girl, Ratajkowski’s role is stylish but surprisingly brief.

Too Much follows Jessica (Megan Stalter), a New Yorker reeling from a painful breakup. She relocates to London seeking a fresh start. There she meets Felix (Will Sharpe), a laid-back musician whose charm is more “Hugh Grant’s drunken roommate” than the polished romantic leads of classic rom-coms (via Netflix Tudum).

While Emily Ratajkowski‘s Polly doesn’t dominate the storyline, her role is pivotal as a foil to Jessica. The exact opposite of the earnest protagonist. Ratajkowski’s role is steering clear of the stereotypical “ex-girlfriend” trope.

The role was written for Ratajkowski by Dunham, who’s been her friend for over a decade. The two bonded in the aftermath of Ratajkowski’s rise to fame in the Blurred Lines music video. She later described the experience as dehumanizing in her bestselling essay collection My Body.

In a recent Elle UK interview, she expressed appreciation for the creative freedom she was given. Dunham allowed her to shape Polly’s character more than in past projects. Ratajkowski told Elle,

I really value control. In my twenties, I didn’t have a lot of it in my career. Now, I like making things and I like not being an addition to them. With Lena, I got to shape the character so much, which was really fun. It gave me a bigger role than just an actor for hire.

For Ratajkowski, after a break from acting, Too Much represents a significant career shift. Having built much of her fame through modeling and supporting roles in movies such as Gone Girl and I Feel Pretty, she has spent recent years focusing on writing and advocacy. Her 2021 essay collection, My Body, explores themes of female empowerment and autonomy. It all resonates with her more active role in this new project.

Too Much is inspired by Lena Dunham’s personal experiences of being an American in the UK. The realities behind romanticized notions of London life. Dunham shared with Netflix,

When I first started coming to the UK for work… I thought to myself, ‘I want to write something about the experience of being a foreigner here, and the fantasies we have of [London] versus the realities.’ Then, when I met my husband, Luis, I felt I was experiencing all of that, but in the context of a relationship.

The show’s tone blends rom-com warmth with an unflinching look at love’s complications in one’s 30s. The stage in life where it’s filled with emotional baggage and new beginnings. Jessica and Felix’s relationship is filled with awkward moments, emotional baggage. It reflects the complexities of dating in their 30s.

The series has generated excitement not just for its lead cast but also for its star-studded cameos. Fans can expect appearances by Andrew Scott, Kit Harington, Jessica Alba, Rita Ora, Dean-Charles Chapman, and Jennifer Saunders, among others.

A super low-key love story starring all of our faves? yes pls.❣️

Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe star in TOO MUCH, Lena Dunham’s new rom-com series—featuring surprise cameos from Andrew Scott, Kit Harington, Jessica Alba, Rita Ora, and Jennifer Saunders. https://t.co/oEsutExzBK pic.twitter.com/lMqfzTPBOP

— Netflix Tudum (@NetflixTudum) June 30, 2025

This ensemble cast, with Dunham’s signature mix of humor and honesty, Netflix‘s Too Much is poised to be a fresh take on the rom-com genre. One that embraces the messiness of adult relationships without glossing over their complexities.

Too Much premieres on Netflix this July. While Ratajkowski’s role may not be the largest, her involvement marks an important step in her evolving career. The one where she increasingly values creative input and meaningful storytelling. Till then, we expect Dunham’s Too Much to take us for a full-blown romcom summer ride.