LOS ANGELES, CA – (March 10, 2008) – SHOWTIME has renewed the critically-acclaimed, groundbreaking lesbian drama THE L WORD® for a sixth and final season, it was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, SHOWTIME’s President of Entertainment.  One of the network’s longest running series, THE L WORD® will culminate early next year in eight final episodes, marking the end of an era chronicling the lives of these iconic characters who have played a pivotal role in changing cultural perceptions of lesbians and the transgender community on and off screen.  Production will resume in early summer.  

“It has been a privilege to do this series and tell these stories and have these characters in my life and to share them with the show’s passionate fans,” says Ilene Chaiken, creator and executive producer of THE L WORD®.  “I am thrilled that SHOWTIME has given us this final opportunity to conclude this journey we have all taken together.”

"We are enormously proud of the legacy of THE L WORD®, a groundbreaking series that well surpassed its niche as a gay show," said Greenblatt.  "The title of the show became part of the lexicon, and the breadth and reach of the characters and storylines are a testament to the talent of Ilene Chaiken and her incredible cast.  We have a strong tradition of shows that move beyond the stereotypes of lesbian and gay characters, and we are grateful to everyone involved with THE L WORD® who contributed to its legacy.”

"THE L WORD® has been such an important franchise for SHOWTIME,” adds SHOWTIME Chairman and CEO, Matthew Blank.  "We look forward to an outstanding finale season next year and know this show will live on in many, many ways."

THE L WORD®‘s large and loyal audience has played an unprecedented role in propelling the plotlines throughout the show’s five year history.  Chaiken indicates that the final season will be even more interactive, with fan input guiding the season to its climactic conclusion. “This is by no means the end of THE L WORD®,” she adds.  “The brand and the social network community, OurChart.com, will continue to live and be a destination for lesbians everywhere and a lasting tribute to what THE L WORD® has accomplished.”

In its five seasons on SHOWTIME, THE L WORD® generated an avid audience, as well as critical praise and GLAAD Award recognition for its provocative, sexy storylines, the principal cast and for being a magnet for celebrated directors and guest stars.  The groundbreaking series follows a group of Los Angeles-based friends as they navigate careers, families, friendships, inner struggles and romantic entanglements.  Since its January 2004 debut, the series has become part of American popular culture, spawning its own social networking site (Our Chart.com), huge popularity in Second Life, dedicated fan websites and blogs, along with ancillary products such as THE L WORD®-branded perfume, jewelry and books.

THE L WORD® is executive produced by Ilene Chaiken through her production company Little Chicken Inc.  The series was created by Chaiken and Kathy Greenberg & Michele Abbott and is being distributed internationally by MGM International Television Distribution, Inc.