Showtime Cancels "The L Word: Generation Q", New York-Set Reboot in the Works

[JamesG]

"The L Word" Sequel in the Works at Showtime with Jennifer Beals & Others Eying Return
by Nellie Andreeva
July 11, 2017


One of Showtime’s signature series is mounting a comeback. The premium cable network is developing a sequel to its influential 2004 drama series "The L Word", which revolved around a group of lesbians in West Hollywood and their friends, family and lovers.

Three of the original series’ lead cast members, Jennifer Beals, who played Bette, Kate Moennig (Shane), who is a series regular on Showtime’s "Ray Donovan", and Leisha Hailey (Alice), are expected to come on as executive producers on the sequel and, if the project moves forward, they would appear on the series, with their characters serving as a bridge between the original and the new show.

They would be surrounded by a new ensemble of women, with the sequel following their lives, loves and tribulations. Additionally, other characters from the 2004 series may pop up in the new version.






The original series, created by Ilene Chaiken, ran for six seasons and spawned a reality spinoff, "The Real L Word". Chaiken will serve as an executive producer on the sequel but won’t have hands-on involvement as she serves as executive producer/showrunner on Fox’s "Empire" and just signed a new overall deal with the studio behind the popular Fox drama series, 20th Century Fox TV.

Search is underway for a new writer/executive producer/showrunner with ties to the lesbian community to helm the followup series, aimed to reflect how members of that community’s relationships, their lives, and experiences have evolved, what has changed (and what hasn’t) since the show’s inception.

http://deadline.com/2017/07/the-l-wo...rn-1202126425/

[JamesG]

"The L Word" Creator Ilene Chaiken Talks Potential Sequel Series at Showtime
by Nellie Andreeva
August 8, 2017


Showtime is currently developing a sequel to its influential 2004 drama series "The L Word", which revolved around a group of lesbians in West Hollywood and their friends, family and lovers.

It is being done with three original cast members — Jennifer Beals, who played Bette, Kate Moennig (Shane), and Leisha Hailey (Alice) — returning to executive produce and reprise their roles.




But series creator Ilene Chaiken, while getting an executive producer credit on the potential new series, will not be involved as she is under an exclusive overall deal at 20th Century Fox TV and serves as showrunner on the studio’s Fox drama series "Empire".

“The L Word will always be mine but there will be a new, probably young lesbian, who creates the new show,” Chaiken told Deadline at TCA while attending a panel for "Empire". “I’m very, very exited that it’s happening.”




The sequel will surround the original characters with a new ensemble of women, following their lives, loves and tribulations. Has Chaiken shared her vision for a sequel?

“I’ve talked about it but I’m not working on it. It will be somebody else’s show,” she said, adding, “I’m always going to be there to talk about what I think is exciting.”

http://deadline.com/2017/08/the-l-wo...me-1202145289/

[JamesG]

"The L Word" Creator Teases the New-Look Sequel Season
by Tim Surette
Oct. 13, 2017


Showtime surprised fans of "The L Word" earlier this year with news that it was bringing the drama back for a new season, more than eight years after the series concluded what was thought to be its full run.

Obviously the world and the people who live in it have changed a lot since 2009, and the drama that followed a group of lesbians living in Los Angeles may have been progressive for its time, but it will need to update itself for 2018 to stay ahead of the curve.





TV Guide caught up with series creator Ilene Chaiken, who gave us a few details on the upcoming season and how it will look different (and the same) from its original version.

"It's 10 years hence since we stopped doing The L Word, so the world will be different in all the ways that the world is different now," Chaiken told TV Guide. "We've made progress, we've backslid in some ways, we've gotten older, some of us, and there are new young women whose stories we're going to tell. But I will say that The L Word in 2018 will be more reflective, more inclusive than the original show we did."





Though original stars Jennifer Beals, Kate Moennig, and Leisha Hailey are expected to reprise their characters in some fashion, we're still awaiting word on Erin Daniels, who played Dana Fairbanks. But Chaiken says she's hoping to get her on board.

"I hope we'll be seeing Erin Daniels on the show," Chaiken said, more as a fan than a producer. "I love Erin Daniels, and maybe there's some way -- who knows. I've never let go of Dana and neither has the audience... maybe we will see her."

http://www.tvguide.com/news/the-l-word-new-season/

[JamesG]

Showtime Taps Marja-Lewis Ryan as Showrunner for "The L Word" Sequel
by Nellie Andreeva
November 20, 2017


Marja-Lewis Ryan (The Four-Faced Liar, 6 Balloons) has been tasked to spearhead the sequel to "The L Word", currently in development at Showtime, as executive producer and showrunner.

Mothership series creator Ilene Chaiken also is executive producing, along with Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moennig and Leisha Hailey, who all starred in the premium network’s original series.



“Ilene and the original L Word made me believe that my voice mattered,” said Ryan.

“I am beyond excited for the opportunity to usher in the next generation of diverse queer people. I couldn’t imagine a better time to make this show.”

http://deadline.com/2017/11/the-l-wo...er-1202211918/

[Babalu]

Originally Posted by JamesG

“I am beyond excited for the opportunity to usher in the next generation of diverse queer people.”

[JamesG]

"The L Word" Sequel Officially a Go at Showtime – TCA
by Nellie Andreeva
January 31, 2019


Showtime has greenlighted a new incarnation of "The L Word", a sequel of the network’s influential 2000s series. Showtime president of programming Gary Levine was cautious Mondaay at TCA when asked about the status of the project.

The follow-up series, which has been in the works at Showtime for more than an year, is aimed at reflecting how members of that community’s relationships, their lives, and experiences have evolved and what has changed (and what hasn’t) since the show’s inception.

https://deadline.com/2019/01/the-l-w...me-1202546479/

[JamesG]

Sarah Shahi will be in Showtime's "The L Word" Sequel
by Lesley Goldberg
Jan. 31, 2019


Diehard fans of Showtime's "The L Word" can look forward to seeing at least one long-awaited reunion.

Fan favorite Sarah Shahi will indeed be part of the newly announced "L Word" sequel, the actress told The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour.




The actress was on hand to support "City on a Hill", the forthcoming Kevin Bacon Showtime drama in which she recurs.

"It was discussed that my involvement would be very heavily, that I would be in it. I intend to keep it that way and so does Showtime," Shahi told THR.




One thing that's still to be determined is just how big of a role Shahi will have in the eight-episode revival alongside returning stars (and exec producers) Jennifer Beals (Bette), Katherine Moennig (Shane) and Leisha Hailey (Alice).

"The L Word was my first big gig and to be a part of that, I don't think I ever really knew what I was stepping into until after and I started speaking with women and getting letters," Shahi said. "Just the amount of information that was sent my way about how impactful it was, it put me on this thing where it's like, everything I want to do from now on, I want it to have meaning and I want it to touch people.

That was something I tried to do in Reverie and in Person of Interest and it's something I'm going to do in City on a Hill. To be a part of that sisterhood was so momentous for me. I'm more than honored that I can go back and re-create it."




Shahi played fan-favorite Carmen — a DJ and love interest for Moennig's Shane — for two seasons. To hear the actress tell it, it's that central relationship that she hopes will be in the spotlight for the revival — scheduled to air this year.

"Whatever she's doing, I feel like she's definitely still pining away for Shane," she said. "For Shane, Carmen would be the one that got away. But I think that was a big game-changer for her. I'm not sure if she's still DJing or not but definitely something in the music-art world."

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/li...evival-1181661

[JamesG]

"The L Word" Sequel Gets Official Title; Fall Premiere
by Denise Petski
May 23, 2019


Showtime has revealed the official title of its anticipated sequel to "The L Word". "The L Word: Generation Q" will debut in the fall on the premium channel.

The eight-episode series is slated to begin production in Los Angeles this summer.




Marja-Lewis Ryan serves as showrunner and is executive producing the sequel with original series creator Ilene Chaiken and original series stars Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moennig and Leisha Hailey.

Kristen Campo also serves as executive producer. The pilot is directed by Steph Green, who also is an EP on the episode.

https://deadline.com/2019/05/the-l-w...me-1202620795/

[JamesG]

"The L Word: Generation Q" Gets Premiere Date on Showtime – TCA
by Denise Petski
August 2, 2019


Showtime has set a late-fall premiere date for "The L Word: Generation Q". The eight-episode sequel to the groundbreaking 2000s series will debut at 10 p.m. Sunday, December 8.

The date was announced Friday during Showtime’s presentation the TCA summer press tour.

https://deadline.com/2019/08/the-l-w...me-1202659570/

[JamesG]

Showtime Renews "The L Word: Generation Q" for Second Season – TCA
by Peter White
January 13, 2020


"The L Word: Generation Q" is returning to Showtime for a second season.

The renewal comes ahead of the season finale of the reboot of the classic drama on January 26. The show, which launched on the CBS-owned premium network on December 8, has been handed another ten-episode run.



“The L Word: Generation Q took our original series that was revered and reinvigorated it for a new generation and a new era,” said Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc.

“The result has been a show that appeals to all generations for its relevance, its fearlessness, its emotion and its fun. I can’t wait to see what Marja, along with Ilene and this talented ensemble, will deliver for season two.”

https://deadline.com/2020/01/the-l-w...me-1202828500/

[JamesG]

Jordan Hull Upped to Series Regular on "The L Word: Generation Q", Rosie O’Donnell, Donald Faison & Griffin Dunne to Guest Star in Season 2
by Alexandra Del Rosario
December 9, 2020


"The L Word: Generation Q" will sees some new and familiar faces when the series returns to Showtime for season 2.

Jordan Hull will make her return as a series regular. Also set to appear in the second season as guest stars are Rose O’Donnell, Donald Faison and Griffin Dunne.

https://deadline.com/2020/12/the-l-w...me-1234653240/

[JamesG]

[JamesG]

"The L Word: Generation Q" Renewed for Season 3 at Showtime
by Denise Petski
Feb. 4, 2022


"The L Word: Generation Q" will be back for another go-round.

Showtime has renewed the sequel to the groundbreaking LGBTQ series for a 10-episode third season for premiere later this year.

https://deadline.com/2022/02/the-l-w...me-1234926823/

[JamesG]

New episodes of "The L Word: Generation Q" Season 3 starting November 18 on Showtime.

[JamesG]

"The L Word: Generation Q" Cancelled after 3 Seasons, New York-Set Reboot of Original with Ilene Chaiken in the Works at Showtime
by Nellie Andreeva
March 23, 2023


Showtime has opted not to renew "The L Word: Generation Q" for a fourth season. However, the franchise may continue on the network — "The L Word: New York" (working title), a reboot of the groundbreaking original series, is in development with the 2004 series’ creator Ilene Chaiken expected to be involved in some capacity, I hear.

"The L Word: Generation Q‘s" cancellation comes two months after the series’ third season ended its run. No Showtime series has been renewed since the January announcement that the premium cable network will be integrated into Paramount+ across both streaming and linear later this year and renamed as Paramount+ with Showtime.

https://deadline.com/2023/03/the-l-w...ot-1235308871/