ACCLAIMED HBO SERIES "ENLIGHTENED" AND "GIRLS" TO KICK OFF SECOND SEASONS IN JAN. 2013

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1, 2012 - HBO has confirmed the second-season debuts of the acclaimed series ENLIGHTENED and GIRLS, with both shows scheduled to kick off ten-episode second seasons in Jan. 2013.

ENLIGHTENED tells the story of an ambitious executive at a global conglomerate, who returns to her fractured life after a humiliating public breakdown, determined to lead a more enlightened existence. But her newfound noble intentions only ratchet up the drama, wreaking unexpected havoc on those around her. Laura Dern stars in the series, which she executive produces along with Mike White, who also co-stars, writes and directs. The show concluded its first season in Dec. 2011, with Dern receiving a 2012 Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical.

The Los Angeles Times called ENLIGHTENED "the most interesting and ambitious series of the fall season," while the Hollywood Reporter hailed it as "very funny" and "emotionally resonant." The New York Times described the show as "funny, sardonic," and the Washington Post termed it "wonderfully realized" and "unique."

Created by and starring Lena Dunham, GIRLS takes a comic look at the assorted humiliations and rare triumphs of a group of girls in their early 20s. Dunham, Judd Apatow and Jenni Konner executive produce the show, which concluded its first season in June. Bruce Eric Kaplan and Ilene S. Landress co-executive produce. The cast also includes Jemima Kirke, Allison Williams, Zosia Mamet, Adam Driver and Alex Karpovsky.

The series recently received five Emmy(R) nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Lena Dunham), Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (Lena Dunham) and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Lena Dunham).

GIRLS was called "smart, funny" and "groundbreaking" by the San Francisco Chronicle, while New York Magazine hailed it as "the ballsiest show on TV." People described the show as "brilliant," and TV Guide said it was "brilliantly raw" and a "true breakthrough."