Actor Christopher Abbott has revealed that he seriously considered leaving acting while filming the second season of HBO’s hit series “Girls”.
Abbott, who played Charlie, Hannah Horvath’s on-and-off boyfriend, said the growing attention surrounding the show made him question whether he wanted to continue pursuing an acting career.
He explained that the first season felt different because he was also performing on Broadway and was primarily focused on working. But as “Girls” gained popularity, the increased attention began to affect how he viewed his career.
During production of the second season, Abbott took a job at a friend’s Italian ice business in Rockaway and also worked as a set carpenter on other film projects.
Looking back, he described the period as an early identity crisis, saying he was trying to work out whether acting was something he wanted to rely on exclusively or whether he wanted to explore other kinds of work.
Abbott eventually left “Girls” after its second season, although he later returned to the series for a guest appearance during its fifth season.
The actor also clarified that reports about his departure had made the situation seem more dramatic than it actually was. He said he had always been uncomfortable committing to projects for several seasons and wanted the freedom to pursue different opportunities
