On Sunday, December 8, nearly sixteen years after the original show premiered, The L Word came back with The L Word: Generation Q. Returning to the show are original cast members Jennifer Beals as Bette Porter, Katherine Moennig as Shane McCutcheon, and Leisha Hailey as Alice Pieszecki. The show also introduced an array of new characters, who are arguably far more diverse than the original series cast ever was. Can’t keep them straight? Here’s a guide to the new members of Generation Q.
Sarah Finley (Jacqueline Toboni) – Photo courtesy of Showtime
Self-described as a “traditional lesbian when it comes to tools,” this Missouri transplant works as an assistant on Alice’s daytime talk show, and is close friends with Dani, Sophie, and Micah. By the end of the episode, Finley moves into one of Shane’s spare bedrooms, who (spoiler alert!) has a wife. Reporting indicates that future episodes will explore the conflict between Finley’s sexuality and religious upbringing.
Dani Nunez (Arienne Mandi) – Photo courtesy of Showtime.
Dani Nunez is a queer Latina woman working in PR for her father’s pharmaceutical company. The episode opens with her having sex with her girlfriend Sophie, and thinking about proposing to her. Throughout the episode, several conflicts ensue with her father, who calls Sophie her “friend.” By the end of the episode, she has proposed to Sophie and indicated her interest in working on Bette Porter’s mayoral campaign, whom she met with earlier in the episode as a representative of her father’s company.
Sophie Suarez (Rosanny Zayas) – Photo courtesy of Showtime
Sophie Suarez is a queer Latina woman who works for Alice on her daytime talk show and is the girlfriend-turned-fiancée of Dani. During the first episode, Sophie unsuccessfully attempts to book Kamala Harris for Alice’s show, remarking that Kamala was “not interested in doing this kind of show” because “it’s too small for where she is at right now.” RIP Harris for President.
Micah Lee (Leo Sheng) – Photo courtesy of Showtime.
Micah Lee is an Asian-American transgender adjunct professor. Showtime’s official website indicates that he is Dani’s ex. During this episode, he flirts with the property manager who lives next door, and successfully asks him out on a date.
Stephanie Allynne (L), who plays Nat Bailey, and wife Tig Notaro – Getty Images North America.
Therapist Nat Bailey is in a relationship with Alice, and is trying to navigate how to be a co-parent to her kids with her ex-wife, Gigi. She struggles with wanting to make Alice feel like she’s part of the family. In real life, the actress who plays her is married to queer comedian, Tig Notaro.
Angie Porter-Kennard (Jordan Hull) and Bette Porter (Jennifer Beals) – Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/Showtime.
Angie Porter-Kennard is the 16-year old daughter of Bette Porter and Tina Kennard. In this episode, she skips school to vape pot with her friend Jordi. When she finds out via social media that Bette had slept with one of her married employees, she tells Bette that it’s “humiliating” to be her daughter and asks to live with Tina, who is endearingly referred to as Mama T, but does not make an appearance.
The L Word: Generation Q airs on Showtime on Sundays at 10 p.m.
