Showtime is building a sequel to the influential 2004 drama series “The L Word” with a few of the original cast members returning in some form.
Former series stars Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, along with co-creator Ilene Chaiken confirmed the news on their respective Twitters.
“Cat’s outta the bag!” Moennig wrote, while Hailey exclaimed, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!”
Series star Jennifer Beals, who played Bette, Moennig, who played Shane and Hailey, as Alice, are expected to serve as executive producers on the new series.
So far, the plan isn’t for the three to star in the sequel, but to use the old characters as a bridge between the original series and the new. If the series goes forward, Beals, Moennig and Hailen will appear on screen, but audiences will follow a new ensemble.
Chaiken is also set to return as an executive producer. A new writer will be brought in to spearhead the new production. Chaiken is currently the showrunner on Fox’s hit drama “Empire.”
The original series ran from 2004 to 2009 and followed a group of lesbians and their relationships in West Hollywood. It was revolutionary at the time for being one of the first series to focus on lesbian characters who are open about their sexuality.
It came out around the same time that “Queer as Folk,” another series focused on LGBTQ characters, was wrapping up its run on Showtime.
This isn’t the first time Showtime has worked to develop a sequel or spinoff to “The L Word.” “The Farm,” starring Hailey’s Alice, who goes to a female prison. It was billed as the “female ‘Oz’” but was ultimately not picked up. Viewers might recognize similarities between this concept and what became “Orange is the New Black,” which in many ways is a spiritual successor to “The L Word.”