Christopher Abbott has quit hit TV series Girls amid rumours of a bust-up with the show's creator and star Lena Dunham.

Abbott plays Charlie Dattolo, the on/off boyfriend of Allison Williams' character, in the critically-acclaimed series but has now left the show, just as his character was gaining prominence, after apparently falling out with Dunham.

A source tells New York Post gossip column Page Six, "They've just started work on Season 3, and Chris is at odds with Lena. He didn't like the direction things are going in, which seems a bit odd since the show put him on the map."

Abbott's representative confirmed his departure, telling the publication, "(Chris) is grateful for the experience of collaborating with Lena, (Executive Producer) Judd (Apatow), and the entire Girls cast and crew, but right now he's working on numerous other projects and has decided not to return to the show."