The first episode of the gamechanging show premiered in 2004. Let’s check in on what the show’s stars have been up to two decades later
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGES BY SHOWTIME
Ten years after the first issue of DIVA hit newsstands in 1994, The L Word (TLW) premiered on TV. It changed the game for onscreen representation and its impact and legacy can still be felt and seen today. Over the years we’ve featured the cast on the cover of our magazine and inside its glossy pages.
After six gripping seasons, TLW wrapped up in 2009. However, since then we’ve met a new cast of queers in the spin-off Generation Q. And while TLW’s successor was cancelled after just three seasons, there are rumours of a NYC-based spin-off. (We’re keeping our eyes peeled for updates).
A lot has changed over the last two decades. But what has the dazzling cast been up to since the staple sapphic show ended?
Jennifer Beals (Bette Porter)
Jennifer Beals stepped back into Bette Porter’s power suits when she reprised her iconic role in Gen Q. In this instalment, #Tibette shippers were on the edge of their seats to see if the power couple would get their happy ever after. We also got to see Bette and Tina parent a teenage Angie. In our January 2023 cover story interview with Jennifer, the star talked about Tibette and TLW fandom.
In Gen Q, we got to see Bette enter the world of politics. Last year, to mark Lesbian Visibility Week, Jennifer was invited to speak at a White House briefing alongside her TLW costars Katherine Moennig and Leisha Hailey, as well as creator Ilene Chaiken.
Since the original TLW rolled its last end credits, Jennifer has starred in films such as The Book Of Eli, A Wife’s Nightmare, Before I Fall and Catch That Kid (where she starred alongside queer trailblazer Kristen Stewart). We’ve also seen her in shows such as Lie To Me, Taken and The Night Shift. Fans were particularly excited to see her join the Star Wars franchise in The Book Of Boba Fett.
In an interview with The Guardian, the actor addressed the importance of inclusion within the sci-fi genre: “I look to tell underrepresented stories, and sci-fi is such a wonderful way to explore those ideas – to explore those on the outside, redefining their power, finding their path and perhaps even lighting a way for others.”
Rachel Shelley (Helena Peabody)
TLW fans and DIVA readers were devastated to not see Rachel Shelley reprise her role as heartthrob Helena Peabody in Gen Q. But we’ve been blessed to see the terrific actor star in shows such as Episodes, Once Upon A Time and Rogue and films such as The Bone Snatcher, Lagaan and Blank.
Rachel is also a solid part of the DIVA family. She’s the producer of our accompanying DIVA podcast. On a bi-monthly basis, listeners can tune in to hear Rachel gush over the pages of our magazine with our editor-in-chief Roxy Bourdillon. At last year’s Pride in London, the actor and podcaster also marched alongside DIVA.
Over the years the actor, model and audio producer has been a fierce and dedicated advocate for the LGBTQIA community. She continues to uplift the voices of LGBTQIA folks in the work that she does.
Oh, and she recently joined Instagram!!
Sarah Shahi (Carmen de la Pica Morales)
Did you know that TLW was Sarah Shahi’s first acting role? And she certainly gave it her all and stole many a DIVA’s heart for her portrayal of Carmen. To this day, Carmen and Shane remain one of the most iconic sapphic ships in TV history. In a recent DIVA interview, she addressed why she thought the ship was so popular with fans: “There was a real innocence in their love for one another… Carmen was finally the one person who, for a moment, looked like she could tame Shane.”
Sarah has an impressive amount of acting credits. We’ve seen her in shows such as Sex/Life, Person Of Interest and Alias. We’ve also seen her in Black Adam, Bad Therapy, and of course, Red, White And Royal Blue, the MLM book-to-screen adaptation where she shared a screen with fellow gay icon Uma Thurman.
Leisha Hailey (Alice Pieszecki)
Leisha was certainly a fan favourite for her portrayal of TLW’s resident bisexual and creator of the famous chart. The actor, musician and podcaster has been a busy bee since the OG TLW came to an end. She continued to perform with her band, Uh Huh Her, until 2016 when they went on a hiatus.
She’s starred in shows such as The New Normal, CSI, Drop Dead DIVA and, of course, Generation Q. And films such as Maneater, Strangers and Fertile Ground.
And ICYMI, you’ll be glad to hear that she and Kate Moennig are still besties. They even have a podcast together now, The Pants Pod.
Erin Daniels (Dana Fairbanks)
And we can’t talk about Alice without talking about Dana, portrayed by Erin Daniels. This was another one of the show’s most popular ships. We love a besties-to-lovers romance.
Since the end of TLW, Erin has appeared in films such as The Sitter, Shaky Shivers and The Bling Ring. We’ve also seen her cast in shows such as Rizzoli & Isles and Justice.
And we have to mention her surprise cameo (as a ghost) in the musical episode of Generation Q.
Katherine Moennig (Shane McCutcheon)
Everyone’s favourite soft butch Shane “Sex God” McCutcheon was many young sapphic’s gay awakening. And Kate Moennig plays her so damn well. We all swooned when we were reunited with the character in Gen Q. And no, we have not forgotten her getting hot and sweaty with Kehlani!
The heartthrob’s credits include shows such as Three Rivers, Grown-ish and Ray Donovan. And films such as My Dead Boyfriend, Gone, Lez Chat and Everybody’s Fine. And of course, we have to mention her guest star appearance in the crime drama Dexter, where she flirted with the titular character’s sister Deb.
Over on Instagram, she’s always treating us to wonderful snaps of her canine friends and family. And it’s clear from her timeline that she’s still close with her TLW pals.
Daniel Sea (Max Sweeney)
While TLW was trailblazing and ahead of the times in many ways, it has received fair criticism for its portrayal of trans identities and its treatment of both Daniel Sea and the character he played, Max Sweeney. It was quite healing to see Daniel reprise the role in the third season of Gen Q and receive an apology from Shane for how the gang treated him. We also got to see Max living a life full of trans and queer joy.
The actor, artist and musician seems to always be undertaking new and exciting projects. We loved seeing his collaboration with transmasc fashion line, Both& who has recently welcomed Bella Ramsey as a collaborator.
It’s great to see the multi-disciplinary artist also utilising his platform to fight for justice and the rights of marginalised people.
Laurel Holloman (Tina Kennard)
We loved getting to see more of Tina in Gen Q, especially season three. While we didn’t see as much of Tina as the likes of Bette, Shane and Alice, it was great to see how she approached co-parenting with Bette and then also how the two women rekindled their spark.
While Laurel has continued to take on some acting roles since TLW came to an end, she’s dedicated most of her time to painting. Her Instagram profile is full of her master pieces.
Mia Kirshner (Jenny Schecter)
Over the decade between the end of TLW and the start of Gen Q, TLW fans had one question on their minds: Who killed Jenny Schecter? Early on in the reboot the show addressed what had happened to her, leaving many fans and Mia Kirshner herself sharing their thoughts. The actor took to X, which was at the time known as Twitter, to have her say on what really happened to Jenny.
Her acting credits include The Vampire Diaries, Defiance, Lost Girl, Bloodline and Star Trek: Discovery.
The Canadian actor and writer has continued to use her platform for social activism. She’s particularly vocal on issues regarding violence against women.
Rose Rollins (Tasha Williams)
Rose was another actor who reappeared on Gen Q, towards the end of the third season. Thanks to her, Tibette got to share an important moment as she freed them from being locked in a walk-in fridge. We were excited to see what would happen between Tasha and Alice, but unfortunately, we may never find out due to Gen Q’s cancellation.
The actor has a lot of impressive credits to her name from Mission Impossible III, NCIS, The Catch, Long Slow Exhale, Chase and The Catch.
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