The C Word 2016

The inaugural season of The L Word premiered on January 18, 2004, and concluded on April 11, 2004. This pivotal first chapter introduces an eclectic ensemble, including the stalwart Bette Porter (portrayed by) and her partner Tina Kennard, a couple navigating their seven-year relationship as they strive to start a family; Marina Ferrer, owner of the hubbub-filled cafe The Planet; Jenny Schecter, a recent transplant to Los Angeles seeking a fresh start with boyfriend Tim Haspell; Shane McCutcheon, an enigmatic hairstylist with a penchant for androgyny and unbridled passion; Alice Pieszecki, a bisexual journalist tasked with maintaining the city’s go-to LGBTQ publication, The Chart; Dana Fairbanks, a closeted professional tennis player grappling with her secret identity; and Kit Porter, Bette’s straight half-sister.

The second season premiered on February 20, 2005, and concluded on May 15, 2005. This installment introduces Carmen de la Pica Morales, a sultry DJ who finds herself entangled in a tantalizing love triangle with Shane and Jenny; Helena Peabody, a wealthy art patron whose arrival sets the stage for a rivalry with Bette while simultaneously piquing Tina’s interest.

Throughout this season, key storylines revolve around Tina’s pregnancy, resulting from a second insemination attempt, which ultimately culminates in her reconciliation with Bette at the end of the season; Marina’s departure from Los Angeles, leading to Kit’s acquisition of The Planet; Shane and Jenny becoming unwitting subjects for documentary filmmaker Mark Wayland, who discreetly installs hidden cameras in their home; the blossoming relationship between Alice and Dana; and a glimpse into Jenny’s troubled past as an abused child.

The third season premiered on January 8, 2006, and concluded on March 26, 2006. This installment introduces Max Sweeney, a working-class trans man initially presenting as butch, and Angus Partridge, a male nanny who becomes Kit’s lover. Six months have passed since the birth of Tina and Bette’s daughter Angelica.

As the season unfolds, major storylines center around the deterioration of Bette and Tina’s relationship due to Tina’s growing attraction to men; Max’s journey as he comes out as a trans man; Dana’s devastating diagnosis with breast cancer, which ultimately claims her life; Shane and Carmen’s ill-fated engagement and wedding, which ends when Shane abandons Carmen at the altar. Meanwhile, Helena is gradually integrated into the group as a friend rather than a rival, her new movie studio entwined in a sexual harassment lawsuit that leads to her mother cutting off their financial ties.

As the anticipation for the third season built, fans of The L Word were given an unprecedented opportunity to shape the narrative through FanLib.com’s fan fiction contest. This innovative initiative allowed enthusiasts to submit their own stories, with the winning entry being seamlessly integrated into a pivotal scene in the upcoming episode. As the series continued to captivate audiences, it was announced that The L Word would be renewed for its fourth season on February 2, 2006, commencing production on May 29, 2006.

The subsequent airing of the season from January 7 to March 25, 2007, introduced a captivating array of new characters, including Jodi Lerner (Bette’s love interest), Phyllis Kroll (Bette’s closeted boss at California Art College), Paige Sobel (Shane’s love interest), Tasha Williams (Alice’s love interest and former Army National Guard captain), and Papi (the woman who has slept with the most women on The Chart, reprise by Karina Lombard for two episodes). The season’s narrative was marked by significant storylines, such as the adaptation of Lez Girls into a film, Bette’s new role as a dean at California Art College, and Tasha’s struggle to reconcile her military service with her sexuality under don’t ask, don’t tell.

As the fourth season drew to a close, The L Word was once again renewed for its fifth installment on March 9, 2007. Production commenced in summer 2007, leading to the airing of the new season from January 6, 2008 to March 23, 2008. This season introduced Nikki Stevens (a closeted gay actress who portrays the lead role in Lez Girls) and Adele Channing (Jenny’s personal assistant). Notably, Papi and Angus were written out of the series. The narrative of this season centered around Bette and Tina’s reconciliation, Jenny’s ousting from the production of Lez Girls, and Tasha’s dishonorable discharge from the military.

The sixth and final season of The L Word aired from January 18 to March 8, 2009. This season brought forth a new cast of characters, including Kelly Wentworth (Bette’s college roommate) and Jamie Chen (a social worker entangled in a love triangle with Alice and Tasha). Additionally, the season introduced Marybeth Duffy and Sean Holden, detectives with the LAPD. The narrative unfolded as a whodunit storyline focused on the murder of Jenny, with each episode serving as a flashback leading up to the night of the crime. As the series drew to its conclusion without revealing the identity of her murderer, fans were left pondering the motives behind each character’s potential involvement in Jenny’s tragic fate.

As the dust settled on the groundbreaking series finale of The L Word, Showtime unveiled a thought-provoking series of seven short videos that delved into the complexities of Bette (Jennifer Beals), Alice, Tina, Nikki Shane, and their entangled lives. In this unprecedented move, the network released a series of police interrogations, where each character was grilled about the murder of Jenny - a pivotal moment that left a lasting impact on the show’s narrative. These weekly episodes were made available exclusively on Showtime’s website, inviting fans to re-enter the world they had grown to love.

To further fuel the conversation, Showtime also released an in-depth interview with The L Word creator Ilene Chaiken, which was divided into two weekly installments. In this candid discussion, Chaiken revealed that Alice (Leisha Hailey) was indeed behind bars for Jenny’s murder, but it was unclear whether she was truly guilty of the heinous crime.

Fast-forward to July 11, 2017, when Showtime announced plans for a sequel series that would revive the spirit of The L Word. Marja-Lewis Ryan was tapped to serve as executive producer and showrunner, tasked with breathing new life into the iconic franchise. After two years of anticipation, Showtime officially greenlit the revival on January 31, 2019, with Entertainment Weekly being the first to break the news.

As the premiere date drew near, it became clear that The L Word: Generation Q would be a continuation of sorts, with Jennifer Beals (Bette), Katherine Moennig (Tina), and Leisha Hailey (Alice) all set to reprise their roles. With an eight-episode order in place, fans eagerly awaited the arrival of this new chapter in the lives of The L Word’s beloved characters.