The L Word revival announced, original cast set to return
The original cast of The L Word
Lesbian drama The L Word is officially being revived, with several members of the original cast in line to return.
Showtime announced on Thursday (January 31) that the TV series, which originally ran for six seasons between 2004 and 2009, is getting a long-rumoured revival.
Although the original series ended with several fan favourites dead or in prison, three of the show’s original cast—Jennifer Beals (Bette), Katherine Moennig (Shane) and Leisha Hailey (Alice)—are all set to reprise their roles.
The trio will also serve as executive producers on the show, alongside L Word creator Ilene Chaiken.
Marja-Lewis Ryan will serve as showrunner, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The L Word stars set to return for ‘sequel’
The outlet reports that other original series starts, including Erin Daniels (Dana), Laurel Holloman (Tina), Mia Kirshner (Jenny), Sarah Shahi (Carmen) and Pam Grier (Kit), could appear in the reboot.
However, the revival will primarily serve as a “sequel” to the original, and will introduce a new diverse ensemble cast form across the LGBT+ spectrum.
The original cast of The L Word
Gary Levine, Showtime’s co-president of entertainment, said: “Marja has brought her unique and contemporary vision to The L Word and blended it beautifully into the fabric of Ilene’s groundbreaking series.
“This revered show was both entertaining and impactful when it originally ran on Showtime, and we are confident that our new version will do that and more in 2019.”
Despite a surge in LGBT+ representation on screens since The L Word‘s initial heyday, shows based on the lives of queer women have been few and far between, and fans have long clamoured for a comeback.
The L Word is not the first LGBT+ show to come back from the dead
The show is not the first iconic LGBT+ TV show to make a comeback, with Will & Grace making a return to screens in 2017, eleven years after its initial ending.
Original stars Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes all returned to the Will & Grace revival, which is set to enter its third season.
