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, senior content producer at B+C/Multichannel News, covers network programming, including entertainment, news and sports on broadcast, cable and streaming; and local broadcast television. He hosts the podcasts Busted Pilot, about what’s new in television, and Series Business, a chat with the creator of a new program, and writes the column “The Watchman.” He joined B+C in 2005. His journalism has also appeared in The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Playboy and New York magazine.