Lindy West reveals the painful truth behind Shrill's adaptation of her memoir
Lindy West has opened up about her difficult experience with the Hulu series Shrill, adapted from her memoir. In her new book, Adult Braces, she describes feeling sidelined and misrepresented throughout the show's production. The series, which ended in 2021, left her relieved when it was finally cancelled.
The adaptation of West's memoir took significant creative liberties. The main character's name was changed from Lindy to Annie, the setting shifted from Seattle to Portland, and her husband's role was rewritten. Instead of focusing on her personal life, the show centred on Annie's friendship with her roommate Fran and her romantic relationships with Nick and Will.
West struggled with the lack of control over her own story. She later received a package from the production office filled with behind-the-scenes photos—none of which included her. A Post-it note inside even misspelled her name. On set, she felt increasingly isolated. Coworkers ignored her input, made decisions without consulting her, and excluded her from social events with writers and producers. Whispers behind her back and dismissive treatment reinforced her sense of alienation. She later admitted the show never truly reflected her personality or voice. When *Shrill* was cancelled in 2021, West saw it as a positive turn. The experience pushed her to reconnect with what she called her 'long-lost self'—a journey she now details in *Adult Braces*.
West's memoir explores the emotional toll of watching her life story transformed without her meaningful involvement. The cancellation of Shrill marked the end of a frustrating chapter, allowing her to reclaim her narrative. Her new book now documents that process of rediscovery.
