This is the way that we reboot
BY ROXY BOURDILLON
Ever since I heard about The L Word reboot, my life has mostly been spent reminiscing about Sharmen,
getting all emosh at the thought of the gang being reunited,
and frantically googling for updates about the new series.
I’m sorry, Shane. I will work on that. In the meantime, here’s what I’ve found out so far.
1. Three of your absolute faves are back
Jennifer Beals, Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey are all signed up to reprise their roles of Bette, Shane and Alice. Can I get a ‘yas qween’? They’re also set to be executive producers on the show. Congrats, guys. To celebrate your achievements, here’s Dana doing a happy dance.
2. They will star alongside a new cast of characters
The Planet has some brand new regulars and I can’t wait to meet them. Neither can Shane.
3. Cameron Esposito would love to play a new character
I would love to see this.
4. Natasha Negovanlis, aka Carmilla, is totally up for a role in the sequel too
When I interviewed her for the December cover of DIVA, she told me, “I have already talked to my agent about that.”
5. Apart from Kate, Jennifer and Leisha, it is still unconfirmed whether the other original cast members will take part
But we’re keeping everything crossed.
6. Queen Ilene is back
Ilene Chaiken, the creator of the original series, will be returning as the executive producer.
7. But there’s a new showrunner in town
Marja-Lewis Ryan, the writer behind Four-Faced Liar, has been announced as showrunner and executive producer. Like you, me and every other queer women in the world, she’s a superfan. She told The Hollywood Reporter, “Ilene and the original L Word made me believe that my voice mattered. 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.”
8. Jenny might not be dead after all
Ilene teased fans by saying, “We might forget that last year ever happened.” That’s not actually as out-there an idea as it first seems. Will & Grace and Rosanne both ignored their series finales in their reincarnated versions. Long live Schecter!
9. RIP Dana
While Ilene has admitted that she regrets killing off Dana in season three (we all regret that, Chaiken), sadly she just doesn’t think it would be plausible to bring her back from the dead.
10. Roxane Gay wants to be on the writing team
I wonder what her views are on resurrecting adorable, deceased tennis champs…
11. The new version will reflect the way the LGBTQ world has changed
Showtime programming president Gary Levine told The Hollywood Reporter, “The new L Word will definitely deal with the new fluidity of sexuality; the gender differences in question. We’re going to redefine The L Word with a new cast of characters but several of the originals will definitely be integral parts of it. It’s a generational thing and we’ll have both generations represented.”
That all sounds lovely, but let’s not forget than Shane has long been the Yoda of sexual fluidity.
12. The reboot will strive for a more “enlightened” attitude when it comes to transgender characters and themes
“We’ve all learned a lot since then,” Ilene told reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour. “I think the new version of the show would reflect that.”
13. The sequel is going to have some serious bite
Jennifer Beals hinted to fans: “Think more rebel yell than reboot. 😉”
14. Jennifer Beals isn’t giving anything away about Tibette
She told EW, “I don’t want to even say what I would like to see at this point because I think it’s more important for me to be open and listen to people’s ideas and not get stuck in my own desires. If somebody says I think she should be a cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys. I’m gonna say, ‘Well I don’t think that’s such a great idea.’ Can you imagine? That would be funny.”
15. Why now?
According to Ilene, it’s because, “Nobody else is doing it.”
16. Trump was another major factor in the decision, as was the staggering lack of LGBTQ representation in the media
Jennifer told EW, “Years ago, Kate and Leisha and I approached Ilene because we were shocked that nothing had taken its place. There was this renaissance going on with marriage equality coming to the forefront. It was a different terrain and we thought you can start telling stories in a different way and there’s a whole new generation coming up that views sexuality in a different way. Ilene was in the middle of doing Empire and she was very excited about the idea, but there are only so many hours in the day.
“Then, the election happened. I remember I was in South Dakota watching the returns come in and I texted Ilene and I said, ‘We need to do something.’ She said, ‘Let’s get together and talk about it.’ So we were spitballing about what to do and I said our skillset is storytelling and I think we need to tell stories and certainly, in an atmosphere of increasing hatred towards the LGBT community and frankly anyone who’s categorised as ‘other’, stories exploring the complexities of friendship and love are all that more crucial. Representation of everything. You can’t go backward. I would love to see the show continue to mine its original themes of friendship and love and community and additionally I’d like it to go a little further and challenge heteronormalcy.”
17. Tegan And Sara are just as pumped about The L Word Reboot as you are
18. Let’s face it, whichever actors take part, whatever storylines they feature, The L Word reboot is going to be epic.
We. Can’t. Wait.
Only reading DIVA online? You’re missing out. For more news, reviews and commentary, check out the latest issue. It’s pretty badass, if we do say so ourselves.
