Lena Dunham looking forward to turning 30

Actress Lena Dunham. Photo / Getty Images

Lena Dunham is looking forward to turning 30 because she will be free of the "tension" that permeated her 20s.

In an interview for Harper's Bazaar, in which Dunham features on the cover, she talks about growing into her success.

"I'm psyched about it because I think that being in your 20s, especially as a woman, there's an inherent tension.

"Ageism exists in all directions, but it isn't the sweet spot for being taken seriously in the workplace.

"I've been really lucky. I got to do a lot of things before I was 30 that most people don't."

Dunham said she has been fearful that opportunities given to her would never strike again.

"I'm a kind of weird-looking girl, with a very specific voice, and the fact that I get to have a job is insane."

"I'm just as excited for my experience and my age to catch up with each other."

Dunham notes that much of her success has been based on exploring the challenges of youth.

"There's so much torture that comes with being young, female, and trying to figure it out. I mean, I made a whole TV show about it," she said, referring to hit series Girls.

She's a prolific writer, one of her newest projects being the feminist publication Lenny Letter, which this week featured an essay written by Jennifer Lawrence about the gender pay gap in Hollywood. As a strong voice for young women, Dunham has often been a punching bag online.

"I've been put to bed for weeks from reading things about myself on sites that used to be considered feminist gospel," she said.

There's plenty yet to come from Dunham, including plans to campaign heavily for Hillary Clinton to become president.

"I believe in her skill, I believe in her expertise, and, yes, I want a female president."

- AAP