Marja-Lewis Ryan Named Showrunner on Showtime’s ‘The L Word’

Showtime has named Marja-Lewis Ryan the showrunner and executive producer of rebooted series The L Word, which is in development. Ryan’s credits include upcoming film 6 Balloons.

Series creator Ilene Chaiken will be executive producer, along with Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moennig and Leisha Hailey, who all starred in the original series.

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

The L Word ran on Showtime from 2004 to 2009.

Related: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed in Shows' Redo

Ryan wrote and directed 6 Balloons and is writing the reboot of Splash. She is an accomplished playwright whose works include The Four-Faced Liar.

Beals, Moennig and Hailey will play their original characters in the remake. Says Showtime, “They will be surrounded by a new ensemble of self-possessed LGBTQIA characters experiencing love, heartbreak, sex, setbacks and success on the east side of L.A.”

Michael Malone

Michael Malone is content director at B+C and Multichannel News. He joined B+C in 2005 and has covered network programming, including entertainment, news and sports on broadcast, cable and streaming; and local broadcast television, including writing the "Local News Close-Up" market profiles. He also hosted the podcasts "Busted Pilot" and "Series Business." His journalism has also appeared in The New York Times, The L.A. Times, The Boston Globe and New York magazine.