L Word fans, it’s been too long since you heard the names Ilene Chaiken and Jennifer Beals together in media news, but the wait is over. The pair is teaming up to create production company Run-A-Muck, “a dynamic, cross-platform queer media brand focused on creating bold, innovative content across film, TV, and events.”
Beals, who identifies as straight, called it “an idea 20 years in the making.”
“Queerness is no longer peripheral, but central to the creation of culture,” said Chaiken. “We’ve reached a threshold at which queer artists are dominating the entertainment space, and Run-A-Muck will simply be a media company that connects those creators with consumers who love their work.”
“The media industry is transforming, and the queer community is at the forefront. Our mission is to tell the most meaningful, compelling, and entertaining stories that resonate across generations and communities,” Beals said. “What I learned from The L Word is that when you center queer culture, it gives everyone, regardless of how they identify, permission to be their most authentic selves.”
Beals and Chaiken are joined by two other co-founders: D.C.-based real estate mogul Jenn Smira and talent agency social impact director Caroline Joyner.
Joyner said on Instagram, “At the center of Run-A-Muck is intergenerationality. My friendship with Ilene has shown me just how vital intergenerational connections are in deepening our understanding of where we’ve been and where we’re going.”
They haven’t announced any of their first projects yet, but we can’t wait to hear! For now, follow @werunamuck on Instagram and TikTok.
