Lena Dunham stars in “Girls”

Bestie, BFF, BF4E -- they're all terms the younger (mostly) female generation uses to describe their best girlfriends. While what we call our gal pals may change, one thing is for sure: they will stick by us through thick, thin and everything in between.

TV likes to tap into these special bonds between a group of friends -- think "Golden Girls," "Sex and the City" or "Gossip Girl" -- and HBO is no different. The premium cabler delves into the stories of four female besties with the angsty, risqué dramedy "Girls," premiering its 10-episode fourth season Sunday, Jan. 11.

From creator, writer and director Lena Dunham ("Tiny Furniture," 2010), "Girls" centers on four 20-something women looking for love and making a life for themselves in New York City. Of course, the girls make mistakes and get into a whole slew of shenanigans -- what 20-something doesn't? -- but their funny adventures and misadventures are told through a darker lens, often shining a harsh, insightful light on a myriad of current social issues. Tackling topics that range from self-esteem and body image to intimacy and finances, Dunham's two-time Golden Globe-winning series is not one to shy away from the brusque realities of being a young woman struggling to get by.

The show itself hits very close to home for Dunham, who also stars, as she draws a lot of inspiration for "Girls'" premise and her character -- Hannah Horvath -- from her real-life experiences. From struggling to become a writer to her parents cutting her off financially to many more aspects of the show, the 28-year-old outspoken actress channeled her often embarrassing battles in life into a project that not only entertains viewers but also helps educate men on what actually goes on in a girl's world.

"I think it's interesting for guys to get an insight into realistic females," Dunham said at the Television Critics' Association winter press tour in 2012. "I think there are some hotties on the show. A 24-year-old girl is not the easiest creature to dissect."

And while it is definitely true that it's difficult to dissect what goes on in the female brain -- especially when they're in such a state of flux in their 20s -- Dunham stresses that the show fills in the blanks between a show like HBO's "Sex and the City" and CW's "Gossip Girl." Where "Sex and the City" focused on women who were established in their careers and looking for love and family and "Gossip Girl" focused on the catty, dramalicious world of teenaged girls, "Girls" slots in for the post-college crowd of young women looking to make a name for themselves.

"There is no 'Sex and the City' revenge plot," Dunham said at the TCA press tour. "I revere that show just as much as any girl of my generation. I knew that there was a connection because it's women in New York, but it really felt like it was tackling a different subject matter. 'Gossip Girl' was teens duking it out on the Upper East Side and 'Sex and the City' was women who figured out work and friends and now want to nail family life. There was this whole in between space that hadn't really been addressed."

Allison Williams as seen in “Girls”

Of course, "Girls" wouldn't get a "Sex and the City"-esque billing if it weren't for its other dynamic actresses that make up the girlie group. Fresh off a performance as the titular character in "Peter Pan Live!," Allison Williams ("Will & Kate: Before Happily Ever After") stars as Marnie Michaels, Hannah's best friend and confidante who goes into the new season working on her music and having to deal with some love problems, including the aftermath of kissing a taken man.

Another of the 20-something BFFs is Jessa Johansson, played by Jemima Kirke ("Tiny Furniture," 2010). The beautiful Brit is a free spirit and quite unpredictable, but she's traveled the world and is back in the U.S. to reconnect with her cousin, Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet, "United States of Tara"). Shoshanna is very frequently the voice of reason and guidance within the group of girls, but the tension between her and Marnie is palpable going into season 4.

While not technically part of the "Girls" clique, it'd be remiss not to mention the main boy-toy who is the target of Hannah's affections. Adam Driver ("Inside Llewyn Davis," 2013) stars as Adam Sackler, a creative and talented young man who puts up the defenses when it comes to his love life. As was noted to Hannah in a recent new trailer for season 4: "You know Adam. He's really at his best when he's nurturing the poor, the lost, the profoundly damaged, which is why you [Hannah] were so perfect for him," and season 4 provides many more challenges for the unstable couple.

It doesn't matter what you call your best group of girl friends because, no matter what name we give them, they'll always be there for us through thick and thin. HBO taps into these strong gal pal bonds with the angsty dramedy "Girls," premiering its fourth season Sunday, Jan. 11, on the premium cabler.