The L Word Sequel is Happening

The Hollywood Reporter has run an interview with Marja-Lewis Ryan, showrunner for Showtime's L Word sequel set to debut later this year.

(YESSSSSSSS!)

Ryan also wrote and starred in the movie The Four-Faced Liar. Even though it had an ambiguous ending, I liked that movie, as it resonated with my experience of being a young queer woman in the aughts, going out a lot, and making questionable relationship choices.

In the interview, Ryan talks of coming of age as a fan of the original show and how she pitched the sequel to be more representative of Los Angeles and the queer community.

I'm interested to see where the sequel goes in her hands and, honestly, it just feels like a big win these days that the series didn't go to Joss Whedon or some other Feminist (cough) Ally Man.

Of note, Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moennig, and Leisha Hailey, all of whom starred in the original series, are returning.

(YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!)

I'm excited.  

The L Word was an important cultural moment for many queer women during its run. It premiered in 2004. That same year, George W. Bush had become president, in part, as a result of directly stoking anti-gay bigotry. If you remember, voters passed bans on same-sex marriage in 11 out of 11 states on which they were on the ballot that year.

It truly felt like queers were under attack from conservatives and our own government. As many queer women huddled in bars and living rooms, shushing each other so we could hear the narrative on-screen, collectively watching The L Word felt like an act of resistance and a respite from the outside world.

I know not everyone within the queer community had that experience with the show, and I understand that.

I also think an artifact of pop culture can be both meaningful to some within a marginalized community while also not speaking to others. The current showrunner seems aware of the limitations of the original series and I hope she and the other decisionmakers address them in ways that are responsive to people's concerns.

In conclusion, I liked Jenny.

She 100% gave the best monologue in the entire series right here.


Related: L Word Revival Selects Showrunner