Writer Lindy West, renowned for her memoir turned Hulu series “Shrill,” has opened up about her experience working on the show in her new memoir, “Adult Braces.” West reveals that she felt “weird and invisible” during the three years she spent creating the series, largely due to the dynamics with her colleagues.
West made the move from Seattle to Los Angeles to work on “Shrill,” starring Aidy Bryant as the lead character. Despite the show being picked up straight to series due to a gap in Hulu’s schedule, West found herself facing challenges as she navigated the world of television production.
Upon entering the writers’ room, West found her story being dismantled and altered. The lead character was no longer named Lindy, the setting shifted from Seattle, and her husband’s character was no longer a love interest. This led to an identity crisis for West as she grappled with the changes being made to her own life story.
Despite being given various reasons for the alterations, West couldn’t shake the feeling that her input was merely a courtesy. She felt sidelined and excluded from key decisions, leading to a sense of disconnect from the show she had poured her heart into.
Additionally, West details feeling left out as the cast and creatives bonded outside of work without including her. When a friend was cut from the writers’ room, West finally spoke up, only to be met with a narrative that downplayed her contributions to the show.
While West did have some involvement in the production process, including approving props and writing scripts, she ultimately felt that “Shrill” was never truly her show. The lack of authentic representation of her personality on screen and the marginalization she experienced left her questioning her sense of self.
When the show was ultimately canceled after three seasons, West admits to feeling a sense of relief. However, a package she received from the production office months later, featuring behind-the-scenes photographs that excluded her and misspelled her name, served as a stark reminder of how she was perceived by her colleagues.
In her memoir, West reflects on her time working on “Shrill” with candor and honesty, shedding light on the complexities of navigating the entertainment industry as a creator. Despite the challenges she faced, West’s resilience and unwavering voice shine through, marking her as a force to be reckoned with in the world of storytelling.
