00:00Showtime is ready to revisit the L word. Eight years after wrapping the show's six-season run,
00:05the premium cable network is developing a sequel to the groundbreaking lesbian drama.
00:10A search is underway for a new writer to serve as showrunner and bring a fresh take to the project.
00:14Sources say Showtime is looking for someone with ties to the lesbian community to document
00:19how their relationships, lives and experiences have evolved, as well as what has and hasn't
00:24changed since the drama launched in 2004. Series creator Eileen Chaikin, who recently
00:29renewed her overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television, is on board as an executive producer.
00:34Her commitment to serving as showrunner on Fox's Empire limits her from having a larger role on the
00:39potential sequel should it move forward at Showtime. Chaikin will be joined by original series stars
00:44Jennifer Beals, aka Bette, Kate Menning, aka Shane and Leisha Haley, aka Alice, who will all
00:50executive produce. Should the sequel move ahead, the trio would appear on the reboot with their
00:54respective characters as well, along with what is said to be a new ensemble of women with
00:59viewers following their lives, loves and tribulations. Other characters from the original series may
01:04also appear in a potential new version. The L Word debuted on Showtime in 2004, a year before the
01:10channel's Queer as Folk wrapped its five-season run. At the time, both series were hailed for their
01:15groundbreaking portrayal of the gay and lesbian community. Queer as Folk and The L Word were the
01:19first U.S. dramas to revolve around the lives of gay men and lesbians, respectively. Both shows
01:24continue to be hailed for their realistic portrayal of the communities, and they helped provide
01:28representation on television that inspired a new generation to come out. The success of both
01:33shows ushered in a new era of LGBT visibility on the small screen that helped pave the way for
01:38shows including Will & Grace, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Looking and The New Normal, among others.
01:43In a guest column for The Hollywood Reporter, writer Dorothy Snarker said of the potential sequel,
01:48I'd say having a queer woman at its helm is non-negotiable. It's an absolute must.
01:53They must also hire queer women writers and queer women directors. We need gay women
01:58telling stories about gay women. She added,
02:00reflecting a wider diversity of the lesbian, bisexual, non-binary and queer women's community
02:06is just as essential. During its original run, the show was criticized, and rightfully so,
02:11for portraying a largely white and largely femme and largely upper-class segment of gay women.
02:16That can't happen in the sequel if it is meant to feel in any way authentic.
02:20For the full breaking news story from THR's Leslie Goldberg and to read Dorothy Snarker's
02:24full guest column, check out THR.com. I'm Tiffany Taylor for The Hollywood Reporter News.
02:29The Hollywood Reporter News.
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