The L Word: New York reboot is officially in the works, and although details have been kept pretty under wraps, long-time fans of The L Word are speculating about which characters from the original L Word series could return for the East Coast spinoff. Developed by Ilene Chaiken, The L Word was revolutionary when it debuted on Showtime in 2004. Made by and for lesbian women, the show centers on a cast of majority queer characters living in Los Angeles. Although the original L Word hasn’t aged particularly well in some respects, there’s no denying its place in the canon of once-groundbreaking LGBTQ+ TV shows.

In 2019, The L Word: Generation Q reboot picked up the story a decade or so after the original six-season series ended. Featuring a blend of new and returning characters, The L Word: Generation Q looked to correct some of the original show’s missteps, though, ultimately, it ran for just three seasons. Showtime’s cancelation of the fan-favorite series coincided with the network’s Paramount merger, which left little room for TV show renewals. While she didn’t serve as Gen Q‘s showrunner, Chaiken surprised fans with the announcement of a brand-new series, The L Word: New York.

Although The L Word: New York has been dubbed a “reboot,” it’s not entirely clear what that means in terms of the existing L Word timeline and characters. While the upcoming show could completely reinvent the original and forgo any connection to the LA-based series, it’s also possible that the reboot terminology is more about refreshing the series with a new location and mostly new cast of characters. Unless The L Word: New York plans to be a period piece that deftly avoids several characters’ histories in New York City, it would make sense for the show to be more like a spinoff — a standalone entry that leaves the door open for pre-existing fan-favorite characters to guest star.

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Alice Pieszecki

Leisha Hailey

In the original series, Alice Pieszecki started off as a largely a comic relief character, though she did go on to have a few truly crushing plotlines — especially in season 3 — and some of the series’ most memorable romances. One of the best parts of Generation Q was that it allowed Alice to really shine. A talk-show host with sharp humor and insightful takes, Alice is by far one of the franchise’s most charming protagonists. After the original 6-season show ended, Chaiken developed an unaired spinoff starring Alice, reiterating her importance to the series.

It’s easy to imagine Alice setting off to New York to embark on a new adventure that sees her enmeshed in an entirely new group of friends. Like several other prominent L Word characters, Alice also spent time in NYC prior to the original series’ pilot. On the other hand, Alice is kind of the perfect guest star. With tons of charm and on-screen presence, she could easily gel with any ensemble for a multi-episode stint. Since actor Leisha Hailey was so involved in Gen Q, it seems like she’d continue to be a key player in any future L Word series.

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Bette Porter

Jennifer Beals

Even outside The L Word fandom, Bette Porter is one of those once-in-a-series TV show icons. Played by Jennifer Beals, Bette actually lived in New York City prior to her time in Los Angeles. The art lover-turned-politician actually met (and dated) Alice in Manhattan, making the city fertile ground for stories connected to the characters’ pasts. In all honesty, it’s hard to imagine The L Word without Bette. After her failed bid for office in Gen Q, Bette could use a change of scenery as she recommits herself to the art world (and Tina).

Of course, introducing Bette into the mix of The L Word: New York comes with some added complications. In the finale of The L Word: Generation Q, Bette and Tina Kennard (Laurel Holloman) finally get married after years of frustrating on-again, off-again plotlines. While the characters’ apparent endgame relationship is divisive — to say the very least — it does seem like Bette’s potential inclusion in the New York-based series can’t happen without Tina. Ironically, the pair met in NYC years prior to the original show, so a return to Manhattan — even briefly — could be full-circle.

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Peggy Peabody

Holland Taylor

One of the original series’ most memorable guest appearances came in the form of Holland Taylor’s Peggy Peabody. A wealthy, art-loving eccentric, Peggy has some of the show’s best one-liners. It’s a shame that Taylor didn’t return for Generation Q, but she would very much fit in with the cast and tone of a New York-centered series. The L Word teased Peggy’s queerness — she was a self-proclaimed lesbian for a time in 1974 — but didn’t fully explore that dimension of the character. Needless to say, The L Word: New York could revisit that thread in a more genuine way.

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Jodie Lerner

Marlee Matlin

Played by Oscar-winning actor Marlee Matlin, artist and professor Jodie Lerner was one of Bette’s best love interests. In fact, it was rough to see them ultimately part ways as the original show wound down. Jodie deserved better than she got, which means the New York reboot has the chance to revisit the character. She doesn’t necessarily need to be with Bette either; Jodie is incredibly compelling on her own. Although Matlin didn’t return for Gen Q, she is good friends with Beals in real life, which means that the door to returning is probably very much open.

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Tasha Williams

Rose Rollins

In the final episodes of The L Word: Generation Q‘s third season, Tasha shows up briefly and reconnects with Alice. By far one of The L Word‘s best relationships, Tasha and Alice weren’t really given a fair shake in the original series, with much of Tasha’s screentime dedicated to a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” plotline. Although important, it gave Tasha little time to be joyful onscreen. Now a firefighter, Tasha seems much happier. Between the character’s new career path and her reunion with Alice, there’s plenty more to explore, especially given Gen Q‘s frustrating cliffhanger ending.

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Shane McCutcheon

Kate Moennig

A fan-favorite character, Shane is as synonymous with The L Word as Bette and Alice, especially given her role in the sequel series. Unfortunately, Gen Q still didn’t quite know how to handle Shane’s nonmonogymous lifestyle, which is a shame. However, The L Word: New York reboot could rectify that and finally give the character a story that doesn’t center on ruining marriages, breaking hearts, or cheating. Plus, Shane has so much love for her friends and chosen family, which would be wonderful to explore in any spinoff or reboot series.

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Carmen de la Pica Morales

Sarah Shahi

Of all the characters, Carmen was probably the one fans most wanted to return to The L Word. Unfortunately, Carmen doesn’t show up in Gen Q, but that makes her return in a future series spinoff all-the-more needed. After being jilted at the altar by Shane, Carmen vanished from the original series. Even so, the relationship looms heavily over Shane’s character. Sarah Shahi has expressed interest in returning to the series, though the actor’s docket has been pretty full of big-budget flicks like Black Adam. If the timing works this go around, Carmen’s return is a must.

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Angie Porter-Kennard

Jordan Hull

Technically, Jordan Hull’s Angie debuted in Generation Q, but the character did crop up as an infant in the original series. The daughter of Bette and Tina, Angie is one of the sequel’s best characters. Hull is so incredibly compelling — both fun and driven by emotion — and it would be great to see her reprise the role of Angie in a future franchise show. On the other hand, if The L Word: New York intends to focus on an entirely new group of young queer women and people in their 20s and 30s, Angie, who heads off to college in Gen Q‘s third season, could be part of that crew, adding some connective tissue between the L Word shows.

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Jenny Schecter

Mia Kirshner

Although Jenny Schecter was killed off in The L Word‘s finale, the writer deserved better. Gen Q seemingly doubles down on her tragic fate, but, depending upon how The L Word: New York season 1 handles the canonical events of the past shows, Jenny could make a triumphant return. In the original show, Jenny moves to LA with her long-term boyfriend, who just so happens to be Bette and Tina’s neighbor. Eventually, Jenny comes to terms with her queerness and becomes the tight-knit group’s newest member. An incredibly divisive character, Jenny certainly always makes things more interesting.

Of course, there are plenty of other characters from the original L Word who could make great appearances in The L Word: New York. Peggy’s daughter, Helena Peabody (Rachel Shelley), is another obvious pick, for example. If Peggy were to return, Helena’s reappearance would almost be a requirement. And if The L Word: New York is willing to retcon divisive finale and Gen Q character deaths like Jenny’s, it would be wonderful to see Bette’s sister, Kit Porter (Pam Grier), return to The L Word universe once more. Regardless, it’s exciting that the L Word franchise will continue in a new capacity.