TVSquad

The L Word will kick off its sixth, and final, season in January, with Elizabeth Berkley in tow. That's a pretty nice run for any show, cable or network. If you're experiencing preemptive disappointment over the thought of losing the show, rest easy. As we heard at the TCAs, Ilene Chaiken, creator and executive producer of the show, has been signed to write and produce a pilot for an L Word spinoff.

Even better, we now know that Leisha Hailey has been brought in to star. She plays Alice, and would have easily been my pick for the character to spin off. The Showtime press release doesn't contain any details about what Chaiken has planned for Alice in the new series. We do know that she will take a storyline from season six and continue it as internet-only content. If the pilot goes forward to series, the online component will segue into the new show. I would add, if there is any way to bring back Erica Cerra, I'd be all for that. You can never have too much Erica Cerra on your television. Showtime's press release is after the jump.

LEISHA HAILEY CAST IN "THE L WORD®" PILOT SPINOFF FOR SHOWTIME

ILENE CHAIKEN, CREATOR AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF ORIGINAL SERIES, WILL WRITE AND PRODUCE THE PILOT

LOS ANGELES, CA – (September 4, 2008) – Leisha Hailey will star in a pilot presentation spinoff of THE L WORD®' for SHOWTIME scheduled to begin shooting in December. Ilene Chaiken, creator and executive producer of THE L WORD®, will return to write and produce the pilot.

THE L WORD® will premiere its sixth and final season in January 2009, marking the end of an era chronicling the lives of these iconic characters that have played a pivotal role in changing cultural perceptions of lesbians and the transgender community on and off screen.

Since the series' inception, Hailey has played "Alice" – a bubbly yet out-and-proud lesbian living in Los Angeles amongst a group of friends as they navigate careers, families, friendships, inner struggles and romantic entanglements.