The L Word: Showtime announces new showrunner for reboot

The highly anticipated reboot of The L Word is coming even closer to fruition: Showtime has announced that writer-director Marja-Lewis Ryan will be the showrunner/executive producer of the new installment of the lesbian drama currently in development at the network.

The L Word‘s creator Ilene Chaiken will also EP alongside stars Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moennig, and Leisha Hailey. The new L Word will feature those actresses returning in their original roles and a new cast of LGBTQIA characters.

“Ilene and the original L Word made me believe that my voice mattered,” said Ryan in a statement. “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.”

An accomplished playwright, Ryan wrote and directed the film 6 Balloons with Abbi Jacobson and Dave Franco and is writing the Splash remake with Channing Tatum and the film Buried Bodies for Noah Hawley (Fargo).

EW reunited the cast and Chaiken last May and all involved were thrilled at the idea of bringing the series back to television:

Katherine Moennig: Wouldn’t it be interesting to see where we all wound up?

Jennifer Beals: Bette has a walker, obviously.

Moennig: Shane’s on Metamucil.

Leisha Hailey: Our country is so polarized right now and the political landscape is such a mess. We need shows that are about community and acceptance.