Shrill Showrunner Felt Invisible During Show's Creation

Lindy West, the writer behind the Hulu series 'Shrill,' revealed in her latest memoir that she felt "weird and invisible" during the show's production. West, who relocated to Los Angeles for the series based on her 2016 memoir, found that the seasoned television professionals had little time for her involvement as the author. Once in the writers' room, she was disappointed to see her story significantly altered.

The show's lead character was no longer named Lindy, the setting changed from Seattle, and elements central to her life were removed or changed. West described this as an identity crisis, particularly when discussions about her deceased father's storyline were debated for comedic effect. She felt her input was treated as a courtesy, sensing private decisions were made without her.

West also detailed social exclusion, noting she wasn't invited to events attended by cast and creatives. When she finally raised concerns, she felt the origin story of the show's success shifted to focus on star Aidy Bryant's influence, not her own contribution. Despite some involvement in props and scripts, West stated, "'Shrill' was never my show." The show's cancellation in 2021 brought a sense of relief, further solidified when a behind-the-scenes photo book arrived with her name misspelled and no images of her.

West expressed that her authentic personality did not translate to the screen, and despite enjoying her coworkers, she did not form close bonds that would lead to future opportunities. She felt she was given the illusion of power while real decisions were made privately. This constant undermining of her role in adapting her own life story led her to question her own identity.