The L Word

The L Word is a ground breaking show. Over six series the show portrays the lives of a group of lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their friends, family and lovers in the trendy Los Angeles-area city of West Hollywood, California. The show was created by Ilene Chaiken (Barb Wire, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air).

The show's first season was broadcast to critical acclaim and instant popularity. Before "The L Word," lesbian characters barely existed in television. Interested viewers had to search and second-guess, playing parlour games to suss out a character's sexuality. Cagney and Lacey? Jo on "Facts of Life"? Xena?

Women who had rarely seen themselves on the small screen were suddenly able to watch lesbian characters not only living complex, exciting lives, but also making love in restaurant bathrooms and in swimming pools. There was no tentative audience courtship. It's well scripted and well filmed. Queer as Folk for lesbians.

The L Word focused primarily on committed couple Bette (Jennifer Beals) and Tina (Laurel Holloman), a former power-career duo who've decided to have a baby; however, artificial insemination and the changing dynamics of their relationship throw their previously happy existence off-kilter.

The original code-name for the project was Earthlings, a rarely used slang term for lesbians.

First Aired on US TV 2004

Certificate 15

Available on DVD and Blue Ray