“ | You’re such a wonderful girl, such a beautiful girl, with such a surprisingly kind heart. You need to know that people love you even if you are penniless. | ” |
–Peggy to Helena, «Left Hand of the Goddess» |
Helena Peabody is a main character in seasons two through six of The L Word. She is portrayed by Rachel Shelley and debuts in «Lynch Pin».
Helena is the daughter and sole beneficiary of billionaire heiress Peggy Peabody. Jealous of her mother’s fondness for Bette Porter,[5] Helena initially positions herself as a romantic and professional foil in Bette’s life. She eventually humbles herself and comes to truly care for Bette’s friend group. Helena proves herself to be a loyal and kind-hearted friend, forming genuine friendships for the first time in her life, particularly with Alice Pieszecki.[6]
Because of her sheltered upbringing, Helena is incredibly naive and generous with money, which often gets her into trouble. After Helena’s altruism is exploited by con artists such as Dylan Moreland and Gabriel McCutcheon, Peggy cuts her daughter off financially to teach her a lesson. Helena initially struggles to fend for herself in the real world, but comes to enjoy being self-reliant and making her own way in life.
Background[]
Helena is the only child and sole beneficiary[7] of Peggy Peabody, the billionaire heiress of United Steel.[8] After fleeing a brief same-sex relationship in the early 1970s, Peggy was briefly married to Helena’s father, a penniless British aristocrat. Helena was born in England around 1974 and presumably lived there for the majority of her life before moving to New York.
Helena was in a relationship with Winnie Mann for years, and Winnie is the birth mother of their son Wilson. The couple later adopted a Chinese girl named Jun Ying. Prior to Helena’s introduction in The L Word, Helena and Winnie broke up and began a custody battle over their children, both of whom split their time between their two mothers.[9][10] Helena had a few sex-related legal problems, and every time her mother came to her rescue. After Peggy’s retirement and Helena’s appointment as the new director of the Peabody Foundation, Helena moved to Los Angeles.
Helena rarely saw her mother growing up, a fact she remains bitter about as an adult.[10] Peggy’s admiration for Bette Porter, whom she sees as the daughter Helena could never be, left Helena feeling inadequate and,[5] unbeknownst to Bette, Helena grew resentful of her though the two had never met.[5]
The L Word[]
Season Two[]
Helena is first introduced in the series as the new director of the Peabody Foundation, when her mother Peggy decides to retire. Her first interaction with the major characters of the series occurs when Bette Porter visits her at the Peabody Foundation headquarters in New York City to try to convince her of the importance of keeping funds for arts projects at the California Arts Center. However, Helena shifts the foundation’s focus away from the arts and towards community service, cutting all funds to the CAC and awarding the biggest grant to Tina Kennard’s organization, Headquarters for Social Justice.
After meeting Tina in Los Angeles, Helena tries to seduce her, and also notices her pregnancy before Bette is informed. Tina and Helena thus start an affair[2] that lasts for the second half of the season. During this time, Helena moves to Los Angeles and tries to get more involved in Tina’s life. At the same time, she becomes part of the board of the CAC and brings in Leo Herrera, who outshines Bette. Herrera’s achievements lead the CAC to buy out Bette’s contract during the second season finale.
Helena has two adopted children, but does not always live up to the custody agreement. The children appear to accept Helena’s many affairs, often asking if her lover can come along with them on activities such as swimming or going to the zoo.
Season Three[]
During the third season, Helena buys a movie studio and, despite how her relationship with Tina ended, she brings her in to work with her as an executive producer of the studio. She becomes friends with Alice Pieszecki, whom she thinks might be a new love interest after an unclear tarot reading, and she tries to help her come out of depression after the break-up with Dana. Further into the season Helena gets involved with Dylan Moreland (played by Alexandra Hedison), and is eventually charged with a sexual harassment lawsuit (as Dylan was only using her to gain money). Off-court meetings of this lawsuit presented in unveil Helena’s past: in 1998, Helena was sued for sexual harassment; the claim was settled out of court. In 2002, Helena violated a restraining order filed against her by her psychiatrist. She agrees to settle off court.
Helena helped Dana somewhat in her last days of her battle with Cancer and was at her funeral. She also supported the fundraiser for Max Sweeney’s gender reassignment surgery, and paid for Shane’s wedding during the third season finale (where she makes the disastrous decision of giving Gabriel McCutcheon money which he used to run off leaving Carla, and which triggered Shane to also leave Carmen at the altar). At about this time, her wealthy mother cut her off financially.
Season Four[]
After being cut off by her mother, Helena becomes Alice’s roommate for the fourth season, time during which she discovers the Chart, gets fired from her own movie studio, and has a one-night stand with Papi.
The spoiled Helena, who has never really had to work before, is depicted having a hard time finding a job. After several unsuccessful attempts, Shane brings her into WA to be the receptionist, but she proves to be unsuited for the job and quits. Further on, Alice convinces Phyllis Kroll to hire Helena as a caterer for a party from which she ends up without profit after an incident in the kitchen.
Helena later joins Shane and Alice at the Roll the Dice movie premiere party. Here, she meets Catherine Rothberg, an actress who invites her to play poker at her high stake game. Helena loses and is in a struggle to pay her debt of fifty thousand dollars as a penalty, but the actress agrees to spare her from the debt if she wins another card game at her house. If Helena loses, Catherine implies she will demand sexual favours from Helena. Helena initially has doubts about whether to attend the game, questioning whether or not she would become a whore, but decides to take Catherine on nonetheless. She ends up winning the game, but still embarks on an affair with Catherine, as it is now theoretically on her own terms.
Catherine seduces Helena into a world of high stakes betting on poker games and horse races, but the terms of their relationship seem unclear to the rest of Helena’s friends. Even when Helena wins big, Catherine seems to keep the winnings (possibly because she was using Catherine’s money to bet), and when Helena loses, it is Helena’s problem (such as when she loses $100,000 on a horse race after a tip from Catherine doesn’t work out as they hoped).
Helena is also forced by Catherine to ignore her children to do what Catherine wants. Towards the end of the season, she is also seen doing menial jobs for Catherine, all because Catherine bankrolls the wealthy lifestyle Helena craves. After Catherine makes a bet whether Shane and Paige will still be together in six months, with the stakes being a million dollars for Helena or Helena’s services as a servant and sex slave for a year for Catherine, Helena snaps, and cleans out Catherine’s safe.
Season Five[]
Helena is sent to prison on charges of stealing money from Catherine. Due to her being a ‘flight risk’, her bail is set at an undisclosed, but high amount. While Alice attempts to contact Helena’s mother, Helena is warned ‘not to drop the soap’. Later, after being romantically entangled with another butch inmate named «Dusty», her mother Peggy Peabody bails her daughter out of prison. They both appear at The Planet and Peggy declares they will both be going to live in a country in Europe with no extradition treaty with the United States. Helena has other plans in mind and escapes out the back of The Planet. She confides in Shane, who is smoking a cigarette behind The Planet, and it is revealed that she has plans of retrieving the money that she stole from Catherine to set Dusty free and escape to a Polynesian island paradise with her, as is signified with the light fingering of a puzzle piece given to her by Dusty.
Later in the season Helena leaves Dusty and returns to L.A. in time to receive her ailing mother, who reinstates her heiress status. She learns of changes that happened during her absence. At her mother’s encouragement, Helena takes over both SheBar and The Planet from Dawn Denbo. In the process, she also claims Denbo’s Lover Cindi (Cindi Annabelle Tucker) as a prize.
Season Six[]
Helena resumes her relationship with Dylan Moreland in season 6, after «testing» her in order to estimate whether Dylan is after her money and wants to exploit her again or actually cares for her.
Interrogation Tapes[]
- Helena Peabody/Interrogation Tapes
Relationships[]
Notable relationships[]
- Helena and Dylan
- Helena and Dusty
- Helena and Catherine
- Helena and Tina
Full list[]
The table below shows the complete known history of Helena’s romantic relationships.
No. | Series | Name | Type | Episodes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | TLW | Dylan Moreland | Girlfriend, affair | TLW: 3×06 – 3×10 TLW: 6×05 – 6×08 |
|
||||
2 | TLW | Cindi Annabelle Tucker | Date | TLW: 5×12 – post 5×12 |
|
||||
3 | TLW | Dusty | Girlfriend | TLW: 5×02 – post 5×03 |
|
||||
4 | TLW | Catherine Rothberg | Girlfriend | TLW: 4×07 – 4×12 |
|
||||
5 | TLW | Papi | Fling | TLW: 4×02 |
|
||||
6 | TLW | Leigh Ostin | Girlfriend | TLW: pre 2×12 – post 2×13 |
|
||||
7 | TLW | Tina Kennard | Girlfriend | TLW: 2×06 – 2×13 |
|
||||
8 | TLW | Isabel de Obaldia | Fling | TLW: pre 2×04 – post 2×04 |
|
||||
9 | Pre-TLW | Winnie Mann | Girlfriend | TLW: pre 2×04 |
|
Episode appearances[]
The L Word, season 2 | |
---|---|
Episode | Appearance Status |
«Life, Loss, Leaving» | Absent |
«Lap Dance» | Absent |
«Loneliest Number» | Mentioned |
«Lynch Pin» | Appears |
«Labyrinth» | Appears |
«Lagrimas de Oro» | Appears |
«Luminous» | Appears |
«Loyal» | Appears |
«Late, Later, Latent» | Appears |
«Land Ahoy» | Appears |
«Loud & Proud» | Appears |
«L’Chaim» | Appears |
«Lacuna» | Appears |
The L Word, season 3 | |
---|---|
Episode | Appearance Status |
«Labia Majora» | Appears |
«Lost Weekend» | Appears |
«Lobsters» | Appears |
«Light My Fire» | Appears |
«Lifeline» | Appears |
«Lifesize» | Appears |
«Lone Star» | Appears |
«Latecomer» | Appears |
«Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way» | Appears |
«Losing the Light» | Appears |
«Last Dance» | Appears |
«Left Hand of the Goddess» | Appears |
The L Word, season 4 | |
---|---|
Episode | Appearance Status |
«Legend in the Making» | Appears |
«Livin’ La Vida Loca» | Appears |
«Lassoed» | Appears |
«Layup» | Appears |
«Lez Girls» | Appears |
«Luck Be a Lady» | Appears |
«Lesson Number One» | Appears |
«Lexington and Concord» | Appears |
«Lacy Lilting Lyrics» | Appears |
«Little Boy Blue» | Appears |
«Literary License to Kill» | Appears |
«Long Time Coming» | Appears |
The L Word, season 5 | |
---|---|
Episode | Appearance Status |
«LGB Tease» | Appears |
«Look Out, Here They Come!» | Appears |
«Lady of the Lake» | Appears |
«Let’s Get This Party Started» | Mentioned |
«Lookin’ at You, Kid» | Absent |
«Lights! Camera! Action!» | Absent |
«Lesbians Gone Wild» | Absent |
«Lay Down the Law» | Absent |
«Liquid Heat» | Absent |
«Lifecycle» | Absent |
«Lunar Cycle» | Absent |
«Loyal and True» | Appears |
The L Word, season 6 | |
---|---|
Episode | Appearance Status |
«Long Night’s Journey Into Day» | Appears |
«Least Likely» | Appears |
«LMFAO» | Appears |
«Leaving Los Angeles» | Appears |
«Litmus Test» | Appears |
«Lactose Intolerant» | Appears |
«Last Couple Standing» | Appears |
«Last Word» | Appears |
The L Word, Interrogation Tapes | |
---|---|
Episode | Appearance Status |
«Bette» | Absent |
«Alice» | Absent |
«Tina» | Absent |
«Shane» | Absent |
«Helena» | Appears |
«Max« | Absent |
«Niki» | Absent |
Generation Q, season 1 | |
---|---|
Episode | Appearance Status |
«Let’s Do It Again» | Absent |
«Less Is More» | Absent |
«Lost Love» | Absent |
«LA Times» | Mentioned |
«Labels» | Absent |
«Loose Ends» | Absent |
«Lose It All» | Absent |
«Lapse in Judgement» | Absent |
Quotes[]
Quotes by or about Helena from The L Word and Generation Q.
- Bette: «Helena, the arts are the vitality of Los Angeles. We are setting the cultural agenda for the rest of the country. The federal government has completely abdicated! We depend on private support, and the Peabody Foundation is like a beacon. Helena, civilizations wither and die without the arts.»
- Helena: «Very dramatic.»
- — in «Lynch Pin«
- Peggy (to Helena): «And now, because I love you so very much, I’m going to do something truly radical. Sweetheart, I’m cutting you off financially. From this moment forth, you are going to have to make relationships with people who love you for yourself, not your money. This is going to turn your life around, darling. You’re such a wonderful girl, such a beautiful girl, with such a surprisingly kind heart. You need to know that people love you even if you are penniless.»
- — in «Left Hand of the Goddess«
- Alice: «I think you should move in with me. I mean just, you know, until we get you on your feet.»
- Helena: «Alice, I couldn’t.»
- Alice: «Helena, you have been, like, the most generous friend to me, and I feel like this is the first time I have something to offer you in return. It’s going to be okay. We’re going to help you through this.»
- Helena: «I just…I had no idea it could feel this warm and fuzzy being poor.»
- — in «Legend in the Making«
- Peggy (to Helena): «Peabodys don’t have debts, darling. Not to anyone, and certainly not to society.»
- — in «Lady of the Lake«
- Alice: «Are we ever going to see you again?»
- Helena: «I don’t know. I hope so.»
- Alice: «Well, I’m going to miss you.»
- Helena: «Thanks. You’ve been a really good friend.»
- — in «Lady of the Lake«
- Alice (to Jenny): «Bad vibes. You and Shane should work your shit out, ’cause this place is becoming like the black hole of Calcutta.»
- Helena: «So good to see we’re still asunder; nothing like a little dyke drama to tear the place out.»
- Alice: «That’s what I’m saying. Bad vibes, man.»
- Jenny: «Helena, why don’t you come and sit with us?»
- Helena: «No, I’m not picking sides, alright? I love you both. Going for a run.»
- Kit: «Go Switzerland, hm.»
- — in «Least Likely«
- Helena (on the phone): «Alice, what the bloody hell is going on?»
- Alice (on the phone): «Jenny just— she just took Shane outside. She said she wanted to talk.»
- Helena (on the phone): «Well, isn’t it a bit late for that? Alice, what are they saying?»
- Jenny: «I just wanted to tell you…»
- Helena (on the phone): «What are they talking about?»
- Jenny: «You know what, I don’t have…I don’t have expectations for our relationship.»
- Alice (on the phone): «Jenny doesn’t want to put any expectations on their relationship.»
- Jenny: «And I was thinking we should probably set some boundaries, you know? ‘Cause we live in the same house.»
- Alice (on the phone): «Jenny wants boundaries.»
- Helena (on the phone): «Boundaries? Jenny doesn’t even know the meaning of the word. She’s never had any boundaries. Ever.»
- Jenny: «What I’m trying to say is, I just want it to be different.»
- Alice (on the phone): «Yeah, right.»
- Jenny: «‘Cause I know you.»
- Shane: «I know you do.»
- Alice (on the phone): «They’re kissing! Ew! Ew!»
- Helena (on the phone): «Alice, you’re being childish. They’re both grown-up. If they want to get involved with one another, that’s totally their prerogative.»
- Shane: «You’re a good kisser. You know that.»
- Alice (on the phone): «Shane just said Jenny was a good kisser!»
- Helena (on the phone): «Ew! My god! That’s disgusting!»
- — in «LMFAO«
- Dylan: «Helena is the love of my life and I would give anything for another chance to be with her.»
- — in «Leaving Los Angeles«
Gallery[]
Images[]
Promotional images
Season 2 promo
Season 3 promo
Season 4 promo
Season 4 promo
Season 5 promo
Season 6 promo
Season 6 promo
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
Gifs[]
Notes and trivia[]
- Helena is absent for the majority of The L Word season five as the actress Rachel Shelley took time off from the show to film a movie.
References[]
- ↑ The L Word, 4×04: «Layup».
- ↑ The L Word, 4×11: «Literary License to Kill».
- ↑ The L Word, 6×02: «Least Likely».
- ↑ The L Word, 6×06: «Lactose Intolerant».
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 The L Word, 6×08: «Last Word».
- ↑ The L Word: Interrogation Tapes: «Helena».
- ↑ The L Word, 5×12: «Loyal and True».
- ↑ The L Word, 1×03: «Longing».
- ↑ The L Word, 2×07: «Luminous».
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 The L Word, 2×13: «Lacuna».
External links[]
- The L Word profile on Showtime
Helena Peabody
As Helena and Kit’s new business venture is getting off the ground, the return of an old flame causes havoc.
As Helena and Kit’s new business venture is getting off the ground, the return of an old flame causes havoc.
Rachel Shelley
Rachel Shelley hails from England, where she has worked in television, film, and theater. Her performance in the Academy Award® nominated film LAGAAN for which she was nominated for a Zee Cine Award (Indian Oscar) for Best Supporting Actress, brought her to the attention of American audiences. Her additional feature film credits include PHOTOGRAPHING FAIRIES, SEEING OTHER PEOPLE, and GRAY MATTERS opposite Heather Graham. She makes her home in London.
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Bette Porter
Jennifer Beals
Niki Stevens
Kate French
Kit Porter
Pam Grier
Alice Pieszecki
Leisha Hailey
Tina Kennard
Laurel Holloman
Jenny Schecter
Mia Kirshner
Shane McCutcheon
Kate Moennig
Tasha Williams
Rose Rollins
Max Sweeney
Daniela Sea
Helena Peabody
Rachel Shelley
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Но по мере развития шоу она становилась гораздо более симпатичным и популярным персонажем, часто служившим комическим облегчением своей пикантной индивидуальностью и выходками. Пока Текущее местонахождение Хелены неизвестно., похоже, мама двоих детей все еще общается со своими друзьями.
Соответственно, кто получает опеку над Анжеликой в The L Word? Выясняется, что за последние десять лет Бетт и Тина действительно поженились, но также развелись после того, как Тина ушла от Бетт к другой женщине, Кэрри, при этом Бетт получила, по крайней мере, частичную опеку над Анжеликой, которая теперь живет с ней.
Далее, сколько денег украла Хелена Пибоди?
Хелена проигрывает и изо всех сил пытается выплатить свой долг в пятьдесят тысяч долларов в качестве штрафа, но актриса соглашается избавить ее от долга, если она выиграет еще одну карточную игру в своем доме.
Что случилось с Алисой и Ташей Л Ворд? В конце 6-го сезона Элис поставила своей подруге Таше (Роуз Роллинз) ультиматум. Она могла либо выбрать Алису, либо сбежать со своим любовником Джейми (Мей Мелансон). В конечном итоге Таша выбрала Алису на прощальной вечеринке Бетти и Тины, но именно тогда и произошла трагедия.
В связи с этим, вернется ли Кармен к слову Л? К сожалению, шоураннер и режиссер Марджа-Льюис Райан исключила возможность возвращения Кармен. Поскольку сериал нацелен на большее представительство и разнообразие, они не хотят, чтобы ирано-американский актер продолжал играть латиноамериканца. Райан сказал The Hollywood Reporter: «Я люблю Сару Шахи.
50. До эпизода, в котором умерла Дана, фанаты считали, что ее смерть была решением желания Эрин Дэниелс покинуть шоу, но в мини-документе после эпизода о сюжетной линии рака груди мы узнали, что у Дэниелс не было планов или желание уйти.
Есть ли 3 сезон The L Word: Generation Q?
Дата премьеры третьего сезона L Word Generation Q — конец 3 года
В феврале Showtime объявили, что продлили сериал на третий сезон, который дебютирует в конце этого года.
Бетт Портер черная?
Бетт — представительница двух рас, лесбиянка, директор художественного музея и один из самых агрессивных персонажей. Хотя она привлекательная и очень обеспеченная смешанная латиноамериканка (это слово используется в сериале) и черная, она также неоднозначна в этническом отношении и может сойти за белую.
Что Адель делает с Дженни?
В эпизоде 5.10 «Жизненный цикл» Дженни и Ники снимают секс-видео во время похода. Позже Адель пробирается в их палатку и крадет кассету. Она использует это как средство шантажа, чтобы убрать Дженни с поста директора «Lez Girls», заменив ее собой.
Дженни Шектер нарцисс?
Будучи эгоистичным нарциссом, Дженни была навязчивой лгуньей. Ее измены постепенно раскрывают прошлые травмы, и по мере того, как они это делают, она начинает резать себя и работать в стрип-клубе как «девушка мисс ешива».
Почему Дана бросила Алису?
Помолвка Даны закончилась в «Lagrimas de Oro», а Алиса и Дана официально начали встречаться в следующем эпизоде. Однако возвращение бывшей девушки Даны, Лары Перкинс, все усложнило, и вскоре после «Лакуны» Дана рассталась с Элис, чтобы помириться с Ларой.
Что случилось с Китом Портером?
После. Примерно через девять лет после смерти Дженни Кит попал в автомобильную аварию. Ей прописали опиоидное обезболивающее — очень сильное, к которому она быстро пристрастилась, учитывая ее уже продолжающуюся борьбу с зависимостью. Примерно через девять месяцев она умерла от передозировки героина.
Дана останется с Элис?
После того, как Дана расстается с Алисой, она снова встречается с Ларой.
Сколько лет Алисе в The L Word Generation Q?
Возраст: 20 лет (TLW S1)
Что случилось с Шейном и Кармен в The L Word?
Отношения Шейна и Кармен внезапно оборвались в финале третьего сезона, когда Шейн оставил свою невесту у алтаря. Разговор с ее отчужденным отцом посылает парикмахера в спираль ненависти к себе и обратно в объятия ее бывшего любовника Чери.
Будет ли 3 сезон The L Word Gen Q?
Дата премьеры третьего сезона L Word Generation Q — конец 3 года
В феврале Showtime объявили, что продлили сериал на третий сезон, который дебютирует в конце этого года.
На каком языке говорит Джиджи в The L Word?
Джиджи свободно говорит на фарси и часто разговаривает со своими детьми на этом языке.
Была ли Тина действительно беременна в L Word?
У Лорел Холломан есть дочь Лола Рейко Машери, которая родилась в ноябре 2004 года. Ее реальная беременность совпала с беременностью Тины в The L Word. Ее дочь появилась в сериале в третьем сезоне, в первом эпизоде, где все они поют «Привет, Лола, так рада тебя видеть», находясь в детском саду.
Почему Дана и Лара расстались?
Дана начинает встречаться с Ларой, но чувствует давление со стороны Лары, заставляющей ее открыто говорить о своей сексуальности. Когда Дана заключает крупный спонсорский контракт с Субару, ее менеджер заставляет ее оставаться в чулане, и в результате она расстается с Ларой.
Кто жена Шейна, L Word?
Лекс Скотт Дэвис играет роль Киары в The L Word: Generation Q. Она жена Шейна.
Вернется ли The L Word в 2022 году?
Третий сезон The L Word: Generation Q выйдет в эфир в 3 году.
В третьем сезоне, согласно пресс-релизу, предоставленному Showbiz Cheat Sheet, вернутся Дженнифер Билз, Лейша Хейли, Кэтрин Менниг, Ариенн Манди, Лео Шэн, Жаклин Тобони, Розанни Зайас, Сепидех Моафи и Джордан Халл.
Есть ли 7 сезон The L Word?
Последняя серия разочаровала многих фанатов. Прошлой ночью The L Word завершил свой шестилетний показ на Showtime. 12 месяцев назад было объявлено, что сериал подходит к концу, поэтому многие зрители ожидали, что финал сериала будет хорошо продуманным и удовлетворительным. К сожалению, похоже, это не то, что они получили.
Тина изменяла Бетти?
Затем Тина узнает, что Джойс известна в лесбийском сообществе тем, что спит со своими клиентами, и прекращает их общение. Затем выясняется, что Тина тайно оплодотворила себя до того, как узнала о романе Бетт, и сейчас находится на нескольких месяцах беременности.
Почему Марина оставила слово «Л»?
15. Карина Ломбард (Марина) сказала Playboy, что считала себя бисексуальной до своей роли в The L Word, но это как-то изменило ее: женщины шоу. Это ассоциировалось с работой в моем мозгу и как бы разрушило его».
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This list of The L Word characters is sorted by last name (where possible), and includes both major and minor characters from the American drama The L Word.
A[edit]
- Felicity Adams: Lesbian, portrayed by Latarsha Rose. Generation Q
- Ex-wife of Tyler Adams.
- Had an affair with Bette Porter while she was married to Tyler and while she was Bette’s employee between the events of The L Word and Generation Q.
- Tyler Adams: Straight man, portrayed by Jeffrey Muller. Generation Q.
- Ex-husband of Felicity Adams, who had an affair with Bette Porter while she was Bette’s employee.
- Coleman Alt: Portrayed by Brendan Penny. Season 3.
- Slept with Frank in 1985.
- Slept with Bette Porter in 1985.
- Marcus Allenwood: Portrayed by Mark Gibson. Season 1.
- Tina Kennard’s sperm donor, and the biological father of Angelica Porter-Kennard.
- Has a relationship with Lei Ling.
- Andrew: Portrayed by Darrin Klimek. Season 1.
- Went on a blind date with Dana Fairbanks, before finding out she was a lesbian.
- Had a short-term relationship with Alice Pieszecki during season 1.
- April: «Former» lesbian; character only alluded to during Season 3.
- Dated Alice’s first boyfriend; mentioned during episode «Labia Majora».
- Had a rebound-affair with Alice Pieszecki; mentioned during episode «Labia Majora».
- Kate Arden: Lesbian film director first chosen to direct the film version of Jenny’s book Lez Girls. Portrayed by Annabella Sciorra. Season 4.
- Ivan Aycock: Genderqueer, potentially a trans man, portrayed by Kelly Lynch. Seasons 1 and 2.
- Has a five-year open relationship with Iris, an exotic dancer. Season 2.
- Courted Kit Porter during Seasons 1 and 2.
B[edit]
- Nick Barashov: Straight, portrayed by Julian Sands; minor character with appearance in episode 1.05: «Lies, Lies, Lies».
- College professor who had an affair with Jenny Schecter during her college years.
- Allen Barnes: Portrayed by Sara Botsford; minor character with appearance during season 2.
- Barnes is an artist who is friends with Helena Peabody.
- Taught at Yale and Bette Porter took the course in college; Bette wrote a thesis about her work.
- Sonny Benson: Straight, portrayed by Roger Cross; minor character with appearance during season 6.
- Stage name of Sunset Boulevard, professional female drag performer/dj who falls in love with Kit Porter.
- Billie Blaikie: Bisexual man; portrayed by Alan Cumming; minor character with appearance during season 3.
- Has an affair with Max Sweeney during season 3.
- Was hired and then fired as the manager of The Planet in season 3
- Charlotte Birch: Portrayed by Sandra Bernhard; minor character with appearance during season 2.
- Teaches writing in college which Jenny attends.
- Friend of Burr Connor.
- Annette Bishop: Straight, portrayed by Sarah Strange; minor character with appearance during season 1.
- Best friend of Jenny Schecter.
- Pretended to be dating Jenny Schecter in episode 1.08: «Listen Up».
- Veronica Bloom: Straight, portrayed by Camryn Manheim; Volatile Hollywood producer who hires Shane McCutcheon in season 2.
- Sunset Boulevard: Straight, portrayed by Roger Cross; minor character with appearance during season 6.
- Stage name of Sonny Benson.
- Falls in love with Kit Porter.
- Benjamin Bradshaw: Straight, portrayed by Charles S. Dutton; minor character with appearance during season 2.
- Married man who had an affair with Kit Porter during season 2.
- Josh Brecker: Straight, portrayed by Paul Popowich; minor character with appearance during season 3.
- Attempted to have an affair with Tina Kennard in episode 3.07: «Lone Star».
- Brooke: Character only alluded to during the «Pilot» episode.
- Slept with Heather.
- Slept with Nina.
- Brooke: Straight, portrayed by Chelsea Hobbs; minor character with appearance during season 4.
- Dated Max Sweeney without knowing Max was a trans man.
- Faye Buckley: Leader of an extreme right-wing activist group bent on shutting down Bette’s art gallery, portrayed by Helen Shaver in season one. Faye’s daughter (Cora Buckley) became a pornographic actress after running away from home to escape her abusive father. Faye paid off a district court judge to expunge the record (child services report, missing persons report).
C[edit]
- Melanie Caplan: Lesbian, minor character alluded to during season 1 and appearance in season 2.
- Former girlfriend of Dana Fairbanks; mentioned during the «Pilot» episode.
- Slept with Heather; mentioned during the «Pilot» episode.
- Jean-Paul Chamois: Portrayed by Robert Gauvin; minor character with appearance during the «Pilot» episode.
- Was contacted by Bette Porter and Tina Kennard as a possible sperm donor for Tina’s insemination.
- Chandra, portrayed by Holly Dignard
- Adele Channing: Portrayed by Malaya Drew; Bisexual; introduced in season 5
- Jenny Schecter’s personal assistant/saboteur/stalker/doppelgänger
- Kissed Niki Stevens while impersonating Jenny
- Blackmails Tina’s studio into letting her take over directing Jenny’s movie
- Dates the actress portraying «Karina», A.K.A. Begonia, in Lez Girls
- Jamie Chen: Lesbian, portrayed by Meiling Melançon; minor character appearing in season 6 episodes 3 through 9.
- Is a social worker at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Center
- Becomes best friends with/a third wheel to Alice Pieszecki and Tasha Williams
- Admits she has fallen in love with Tasha Williams in the series finale, season 6, episode 8
- Lover Cindy: Lesbian; portrayed by Alicia Leigh Willis, generally referred to as «my lover Cindy» or «her lover Cindy»
- Has long-term, open relationship with Dawn Denbo.
- Had a three-way with Dawn and Shane
- Had a tryst with Shane without Dawn’s permission or knowledge
- Revealed that her name is actually Cindi Tucker.
- Claybourne: Lesbian, portrayed by Jill Christensen; minor character with appearance in episode 2.02: «Lap Dance».
- Married to Robin in 2002. She cheated on her during her wedding celebration.
- A connection to Lara Perkins is shown on the final chart that appears in the third season finale.
- Katherine Claymore: Lesbian, minor character only alluded to during season 1.
- Was the first girlfriend of Alice Pieszecki after college; mentioned in episode 1.03: «Let’s Do it».
- Clive: Gay, portrayed by Matthew Currie Holmes; minor character with appearance during season 1.
- Friend of Shane McCutcheon.
- Slept with Harry Samchuk.
- Roberta Collie: Portrayed by Cynthia Stevenson; minor character with appearance during season 3.
- Roberta was the adoption-case social worker assigned to evaluate the petition placed by Bette Porter and Tina Kennard.
- Burr Connor: Portrayed by Tony Goldwyn; minor character with appearance in 2.08: «Loyal» and 2.09: «Late, Later, Latent».
- Was deeply closeted movie star.
- Friend of Charlotte Birch.
- Hired Jenny Schecter to get to ghost write his memoir; fired her, re-hired her, confessed his sexuality to her, then fired her again, feeling that she had greater things to write for herself.
D[edit]
- Slim Daddy: Straight, portrayed by Snoop Dogg; minor character with appearance during episodes 1.10: «Luck, Next Time» and 1.11: «Liberally».
- Recorded a song with Kit Porter.
- Gillian Davis: Portrayed by Kelly McGillis; minor character with appearances during episodes 5.7: «Lesbians Gone Wild» and 5.8: «Lay Down the Law».
- Was a Colonel in the Army National Guard and a JAG officer.
- Was the lead Army investigator in Tasha Williams’ homosexual conduct investigation.
- While not explicitly stated, showed strong signs of being a closeted lesbian or bisexual woman herself.
- Called Alice Pieszecki to testify during Tasha’s separation board but backed off from her attempts to prove Tasha was a lesbian after Alice made a comment about the possibility of an unwilling person being outed.
- Dax: Lesbian, portrayed by Luvia Petersen; minor character with very brief appearance in Season 1.
- Friend of Ivan who works with him in the mechanic shop.
- Appeared as the dancing cowboy in the Kings of the Night at The Planet.
- Carmen de la Pica Morales: Lesbian, portrayed by Sarah Shahi; main character during seasons 2 and 3.
- Daughter of Mercedes Morales.
- Niece of Begonia Morales.
- Her first lesbian experience was with Lucía Torres when she was 16.
- Had some one-night stands with Shane McCutcheon before starting a relationship with Jenny Schecter.
- Had a relationship with Jenny Schecter that started and ended in season 2.
- Admitted to have slept with someone named «Robin» during episode 3.10: «Losing the Light», while dating Shane.
- Was engaged to Shane McCutcheon until Shane left her at the altar in episode 3.12: «Left Hand of the Goddess».
- Dawn Denbo: Lesbian, portrayed by Elizabeth Keener; minor character appearing in season 5.
- Miami-based club promoter and owner of Shebar.
- Long term open relationship with Lover Cindy
- Had three-way with Shane McCutcheon and Lover Cindy
- Business rivalry with Kit Porter. Later bought out Ivan Aycock’s 51 per cent of The Planet and became majority owner.
- Vowed vengeance on Shane for seducing «my lover Cindy», and by extension all of Shane’s friends
- Gabby Deveaux: Lesbian, portrayed by Guinevere Turner; also known as ‘Lesbian X’; minor character with appearances in seasons 1 and 2, and allusions in seasons 1 through 4.
- Dated Alice Pieszecki during part of season 1 and before of show line story begins.
- Simultaneously dated Nadia while she was dating Alice during season 1.
- Dated Lara Perkins during part of season 2.
- Also involved with Eva «Papi» Torres at the start of season 6.
- Dusty, portrayed by Lucia Rijker, Helena’s cellmate (season five) and as Dana’s trainer (season two)
E[edit]
- Eric: Straight, portrayed by Kyle Cassie; minor character with appearance during episode 1.12: «Looking Back».
- Was Tina Kennard’s boyfriend in 1998, before she started a relationship with Bette Porter.
F[edit]
- Dr. Farber, portrayed by Kate Clinton, a lesbian sex therapist to Bette and Tina.
- Dana Fairbanks: Lesbian, portrayed by Erin Daniels; main character from seasons 1 through 3.
- First lesbian experience was with tennis-mentor «Ralph», when she was sixteen; mentioned during the Pilot episode, episode 1.12: «Looking Back», and episode 3.11: «Last Dance».
- Daughter of Sharon and Irwin Fairbanks.
- Sister to Howie Fairbanks.
- Has a false heterosexual relationship with her doubles partner Harrison Scott; mentioned during the «Pilot» episode and during episode 3.11: «Last Dance».
- Dated Melanie Caplan; mentioned during the «Pilot» episode.
- Attempted to date Jenny Schecter in season 1, before deciding to remain friends.
- Dated Lara Perkins during seasons 1 and 3.
- Goes to a date with Andrew telling him she is a lesbian.
- Committed to Tonya during season 1, but later broke up with her in episode 2.06: «Lágrimas de Oro», after cheating on her with Alice for a while.
- Dated Alice Pieszecki during season 2, taking advantage of Alice’s feelings while not returning them. According to the storyline, she broke up with Alice six months before episode 3.01, «Labia Majora», in order to be with Lara again.
- Died of heart failure in episode 3.10: «Losing the Light», after having discovered in episode 3.05: «Lifeline» that she had invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common form of breast cancer.
- Howie Fairbanks: Gay, portrayed by Andrew Francis; minor character with appearances in seasons 1 through 3.
- Son of Sharon and Irwin Fairbanks.
- Younger brother of Dana Fairbanks.
- Comes out as gay to Dana and Alice during episode 2.11: «Loud and Proud».
- Irwin Fairbanks: Portrayed by Michael Hogan; minor character with appearance during seasons 1 through 3.
- Married to Sharon Fairbanks.
- Father of Dana and Howie Fairbanks.
- Sharon Fairbanks: Portrayed by Susan Hogan; minor character with appearance during seasons 1 through 3.
- Had a lesbian experience when she was 17.
- Married to Irwin Fairbanks.
- Mother of Dana and Howie Fairbanks.
- Gene Feinberg: Straight, portrayed by Tygh Runyan; minor character with appearance during seasons 1 and 2.
- Dated Jenny Schecter until episode 2.01: «Life, Loss, Leaving».
- Manfredi Ferrer: Portrayed by Derek de Lint; minor character with appearance in episode 2.02: «Lap Dance».
- Married to Marina Ferrer.
- Marina Ferrer: Lesbian, portrayed by Karina Lombard; main character during season 1.
- Italian countess married to Manfredi Ferrer hiding her sexual orientation.
- Has an open relationship with Francesca Wolff for five years.
- Has an affair with Jenny Schecter while she was engaged to Tim Haspel.
- Dated Robin Allenwood during season 1.
- Dated Claude during season 4.
- This character seems to be an allusion to Kate Millett’s Sita (Millett’s lover of Italian noble origin, one of whose middle names was «Marina»,[1] committed suicide in 1978)
- Lucía Flores: Bisexual. Character only alluded to during season 2.
- Was Pablo Fuentes’ girlfriend before she cheated on him with Carmen de la Pica Morales.
- She was Carmen’s first lesbian experience when she was 16.
- Dan Foxworthy: Straight, portrayed by Daryl Shuttleworth; minor character with appearance during seasons 1, 2, 5 and 6.
- Therapist of Tina Kennard, Bette Porter, Alice Pieszecki and Tasha Williams.
G[edit]
- Valerie Goins: Lesbian, portrayed by Camille Sullivan; minor character with appearance in episode 2.07: «Luminous».
- Was committed to Leigh Ostin.
- Shelly Greenlee: Portrayed by Linda Ko; minor character with appearance in episodes 2.12: «L’Chaim» and 2.13: «Loud & Proud».
- Was hired by Bette to care for her dying father.
- Gregg: Straight, portrayed by Robin Nielsen; minor character with appearance in episode 1.12: «Looking Back».
- Was Alice’s college boyfriend.
- Barbara Grisham: Closeted lesbian, portrayed by Dana Delany; minor character with appearance in episode 3.04: «Light My Fire».
- Senator of the state of Massachusetts.
- Unsuccessfully attempted to seduce Bette Porter during episode 3.04: «Light My Fire».
H[edit]
- Becky Haspel: Straight, portrayed by Georgia Craig; minor character with appearance during episode 3.10: «Losing the Light».
- Wife of Tim Haspel.
- Timothy «Tim» Haspel: Straight, portrayed by Eric Mabius; main character during season 1 and minor character with appearances during seasons 2, 3 and 6.
- Married and divorced Jenny Schecter during season 1.
- Dated Trish Peverell, who was a student that he was coaching, during season 1.
- Married Becky during season 3.
- Sean Heaney: Straight, portrayed by Bruno Verdoni; minor character with appearance during the «Pilot» episode.
- Was Tina Kennard’s first unsuccessful sperm donor.
- Slept with Alice Pieszecki.
- Heather: Character only alluded to during the «Pilot» episode.
- Slept with Brooke.
- Slept with Mandy.
- Slept with Melanie Caplan.
- Arianna Huffington: Portrayed by Arianna Huffington herself; minor character with appearance during episode 2.01: «Life, Loss, Leaving».
- Employer of both Shane McCutcheon and Carmen de la Pica Morales when they meet.
I[edit]
- Iris. Portrayed by Mikela J. Mikael; minor character with appearance in episode 2.09: «Late, Later, Latent».
- Has an open relationship with Ivan Aycock for five years.
J[edit]
- Randy Jackson: Straight, portrayed by Kwesi Ameyaw; minor character with appearances in seasons 1 and 3.
- Friend of Tim Haspel.
- Husband of Carolyn Varajian.
- Cherie Jaffe or Cherie Peroni: Bisexual, portrayed by Rosanna Arquette; minor character with appearances in seasons 1, 3, and 4, but alluded to in seasons 1 through 3.
- Mother of Clea Jaffe; mentioned in episode 1.11: «Liberally».
- Married to Steve Jaffe, later divorced him.
- Had an affair with Shane McCutcheon during season 1 and later also slept with her in seasons 3 and 4.
- Clea Jaffe: Lesbian, portrayed by Samantha McLeod; minor character with appearance only in season 1.
- Daughter of Cherie Jaffe and Steve Jaffe.
- Infatuated with Shane McCutcheon during season 1.
- Steve Jaffe: Straight, portrayed by James Purcell; minor character with appearance only in season 1.
- Married and then divorced Cherie Jaffe.
- Father of Clea Jaffe.
- James: His sexual orientation is unknown, but in the last episode of the second season he appears holding a man in the funeral of Bette’s father, portrayed by Preston Cook; minor character with appearances during seasons 1 through 6.
- Assistant of Bette Porter.
- Candace Jewell: Lesbian, portrayed by Ion Overman; minor character with appearances in seasons 1 and 2.
- Had a relationship with Yolanda Watkins; mentioned in season 1.
- Had an affair with Bette Porter and started all the friction between Bette and Tina during episodes 1.12: «Looking Back» through 2.01: «Life, Loss, Leaving».
- Lisa Johnson: Straight, portrayed by Crystal Balint; minor character with flashback appearances during episode 4.07: «Lesson Number One» and 4.11: «Literary License to Kill»
- Appears in flashbacks of Tasha Williams’ tour of duty in Iraq.
K[edit]
- Nadia Karella: Lesbian, portrayed by Jessica Capshaw; minor character with appearance in episodes 4.02 «Livin’ la Vida Loca», 4.03 «Lassoed» and 4.04 «Layup».
- Slept with Bette Porter.
- Bryan Karikawa: Portrayed by Peter Shinkoda; minor character with appearance during seasons 1 and 2.
- Subaru representative who works with Dana’s advertising campaign.
- Hunter Kirby: Straight, minor character; portrayed by Chris William Martin.
- Fellow writing student to Jenny in season 2.
- Tina Kennard: Bisexual, portrayed by Laurel Holloman. Main character.
- Mother of Angelica Porter-Kennard.
- Dated Eric previous to season 1; mentioned in episode 1.12: «Looking Back».
- Had an eight-year relationship with Bette Porter with a separation during season 2, a breakup in season 3, and a reunion in season 5.
- Courted by Joyce Wischnia during season 2.
- Dated Helena Peabody during episodes 2.05: «Labyrinth» through 2.13: «Lacuna».
- Attempted to have an affair with film producer Josh Brecker during episode 3.07: «Lone Star».
- Had a relationship with Henry Young, through episodes 3.09: «Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way» to episode 4.11: «Literary License to Kill».
- Courted by Kate Arden during season 4.
- Revealed to have had an incestuous relationship with her sister from ages 11 to 15 in the post-season 6 «Interrogation tapes» (canonicity debated)
- Married Bette between the events of The L Word and Generation Q, but cheated on her with Carrie, which led to their final separation and divorce.
- Became engaged to Carrie during the events of Generation Q.
- Leonard Kroll: Straight man, portrayed by Bruce Davison; minor character with three appearances
- Husband/ex-husband of Phyllis Kroll
- Father of Molly Kroll
- Molly Kroll: straight-turned-bisexual-turned-lesbian, portrayed by Clementine Ford
- Daughter of Phyllis and Leonard Kroll.
- «Girl crush» on Shane McCutcheon, and later slept with her
- Phyllis Kroll: Lesbian, portrayed by Cybill Shepherd.
- Wife/ex-wife of Leonard Kroll
- Mother of Molly
- Had her first lesbian infatuation/relationship with Alice.
- On again, off again relationship with her first divorce attorney, Joyce Wischnia.
- Aaron Kornbluth: Straight, portrayed by Brian Markinson, introduced in season 4
- Executive for Shaolin Productions
- Worked with Tina and Jenny during the making of Lez Girls
- Partnered with William and Adele at the end of Season 5
L[edit]
- Lacey: Lesbian, portrayed by Tammy Lynn Michaels; minor character appearing during Season 1.
- Slept with Shane McCutcheon.
- Jodi Lerner: Lesbian, portrayed by Marlee Matlin; main character during seasons 4 and 5 who is credited on Season 6.
- Sculptor; professor and student adviser at the California University School of Arts where Bette is dean. She had a serious long-term relationship with Bette Porter until Bette cheated on her to go back to Tina Kennard.
- Lei Ling: Straight, portrayed by Taayla Markell; minor character with appearance in episode 1.07: «Losing It».
- Girlfriend of Marcus Allenwood.
- Becomes upset after discovering Marcus donated sperm to Tina and threatens legal action to gain custody of the child.
- Stops harassing Tina after Marcus convinces her to leave Tina alone.
- Lisa: Lesbian-identified man portrayed by Devon Gummersall; minor character appearing season 1.
- Dated Alice Pieszecki from episode 1.07: «Losing It» to 1.10: «Luck, Next Time».
- Julia Lourd: Lesbian, portrayed by Ann-Marie MacDonald; minor character with appearing season 3.
- Project partner of Bette Porter for the Art of Dissent exhibit.
M[edit]
- Winnie Mann: Lesbian, portrayed by Melissa Leo; minor character with appearance during season 2.
- Former partner of Helena Peabody; mentioned in episode 2.06: «Lágrimas de Oro».
- Birth-mother of Wilson Mann Peabody.
- Adoptive mother of Jun Ying Mann Peabody.
- Clea Mason: Lesbian, portrayed by Melanie Lynskey; minor character with appearances in season 5.
- Attempts to start a relationship with Alice Pieszecki in episode 5.12: «Loyal and True».
- Tom Mater: Gay, portrayed by Jon Wolfe Nelson; minor character appearing in seasons 4, 5 and 6.
- Interpreter for Jodi Lerner.
- Has a relationship with Max Sweeney in season 6.
- Impregnates Max Sweeney, and later abandons him in season 6.
- Carla McCutcheon: Straight, minor character with appearance during episode 3.12: «Left Hand of the Goddess».
- Mother of Shay McCutcheon.
- Wife of Gabriel McCutcheon.
- Gabriel McCutcheon: Straight, portrayed by Eric Roberts; minor character with appearance during episode 3.12: «Left Hand of the Goddess».
- Father of Shane and Shay McCutcheon.
- Married to Carla McCutcheon.
- While visiting Canada during episode 3.12: «Left Hand of the Goddess», he had an affair and ran away with a girl named Patty, leaving his wife and son behind.
- Shane McCutcheon: Lesbian, portrayed by Katherine Moennig; main character.
- Daughter of Gabriel McCutcheon.
- Older half-sister of Shay McCutcheon.
- Slept with Mandy. Mentioned in the «Pilot» episode.
- Slept with Lisa.
- Slept with Lacey.
- Had an affair with Cherie Jaffe, and slept with her again in season 3.
- Roommate of Jenny Schecter since season 2.
- Had a relationship with Carmen de la Pica Morales that ended in episode 3.12: «Left Hand of the Goddess», when she left Carmen at the altar.
- Has slept with around 950 to 1200 people, mostly one-night stands of which names are unknown. Number is later given as 963 according to Alice’s OurChart.com server, mentioned in episode 4.01: «Legend in the Making».
- Had a relationship with Paige.
- Object of Molly Kroll’s «straight girl crush», and later slept with her, and later had a short-lived relationship in season 5.
- In a relationship with Jenny Schecter in season 6.
- Shay McCutcheon: Portrayed by Aidan Jarrar. Minor character with appearance during episode 3.12: «Left Hand of the Goddess», and throughout the beginning of the 4th season
- Son of Gabriel and Carla McCutcheon, and half-brother of Shane McCutcheon
- Moves in with Shane after his mother abandoned him in response to his father’s affair.
- Is taken away by his father after he returns from his affair in «Lacy Lilting Lyrics».
- Stacey Merkin: Lesbian, portrayed by Heather Matarazzo. A reporter interviewing Jenny Schecter posing as an ally she later reveals her true colors when she writes a jealousy-driven bad review of Jenny’s book.
- Claude Mondrian: Lesbian, portrayed by Élodie Bouchez. A French-Canadian freelance writer.
- Had an affair with Jenny in season 3.
- Had a relationship with Marina in season 4.
- Begoña : Portrayed by Patricia Velásquez; minor character with appearances during season 5.
- Plays the part of Karina in Lez Girls.
- Mercedes Morales: Straight, portrayed by Irene López; minor character with appearances during season 3.
- Mother of Carmen de la Pica Morales. Mentioned in episode 3.01: «Labia Majora».
- Dylan Moreland: Straight-turned-lesbian, portrayed by Alexandra Hedison; minor character with appearances in seasons 3, 4, and 6′.
- Has a boyfriend named Danny.
- Seduces Helena Peabody and later files sexual harassment charges against her as a means of extortion. In the process, she becomes a lesbian and develops real feelings for Helena. She later returns the money she extorted and has a relationship with Helena, who has forgiven her, in season 6.
N[edit]
- Nadia: Lesbian, portrayed by Natasha Jean; minor character with appearance in episode 1.04: «Longing».
- Dated Gabby Deveaux.
- Nina: Character only alluded to during the «Pilot» episode.
- Slept with Alice Pieszecki; mentioned during the «Pilot» episode.
- Slept with Brooke; mentioned during the «Pilot» episode.
- Nadia: Portrayed by Jessica Capshaw during the beginning of season 4. She was a teacher’s assistant and worked with Bette.
- Had an affair with Bette.
O[edit]
- Leigh Ostin: Lesbian, portrayed by Cobie Smulders; minor character with appearance during season 2.
- Had a relationship with Valerie Goins; mentioned in episode 2.07: «Luminous»
- Dated Helena Peabody during episodes 2.11: «Loud and Proud» to 2.13: «Lacuna».
P[edit]
- Papi: Lesbian, portrayed by Janina Gavankar; major character; first mentioned in episode 3.09: «Lead Follow or Get Out of the Way» when Carmen credits her with the reason she did not make it to her prom, her first appearance, however was on episode 4.02: «Livin’ la Vida Loca».
- As of season 4 and according to Alice’s chart, Papi has slept with the most people in the series; mentioned in episode 4.01: «Legend in the Making».
- Slept with Alice Pieszecki on episode 4.02: «Livin’ la Vida Loca».
- Slept with Helena Peabody on episode 4.02: «Livin’ la Vida Loca».
- Has a one-night stand with Ruby.
- Has an affair with Saskia on episode 4.06: «Luck Be a Lady».
- Slept with Tasha Williams during her college years; mentioned on episode 4.06: «Luck be a Lady».
- Has an affair with Kit Porter during season 4.
- Had an affair with Carmen de la Pica Morales during their college years agreeing with Alice’s OurChart.com shown at season 4 finale.
- Slept with Gabby Deveaux on episode 6.01
- Her real name is Eva Torres
- Angus Partridge: Bisexual, portrayed by Dallas Roberts; major character; first appearance in episode 3.01: «Labia Majora».
- Angelica Kennard’s «manny» (male nanny).
- Boyfriend of Kit Porter.
- Had an affair with Hazel in season 4.
- Helena Peabody: Lesbian, portrayed by Rachel Shelley; major character in season 2, main character since season 3; first appearance in season 2 episode 2.04 Lynch Pin.
- Director of the Peabody Foundation.
- Daughter of Peggy Peabody.
- Mother of Wilson and Yun Jing.
- Had a relationship with Winnie Mann, the biological mother of Wilson previously of season 2.
- Has an affair with Tina Kennard during season 2.
- Has an affair with Leigh Ostin during season 2.
- Has an affair with Isabella during season 2.
- Has an affair with Dylan Moreland who financially exploits her during season 3.
- Accused of sexual harassment by Dylan Moreland.
- Is cut off financially by her wealthy mother and becomes poor, homeless and goes to stay with Alice.
- Slept with Papi in season 4, episode 4.02 Livin’ La Vida Loca.
- Has an affair with gambler Catherine Rothberg during season 4 and makes money for her.
- Was arrested in season 5 for stealing Catherine’s money.
- Has an affair with Dusty while in jail after a fierce nightmare.
- She gets back the Peabody fortune in the season 5 finale.
- She buys the SheBar (thanks to «Lover Cindi») to help Kit Porter, and they rename the club as «The Hit Club»
- Resumes her relationship with Dylan Moreland in season 6, after «testing» her in order to estimate whether Dylan is after her money and wants to exploit her again or actually cares for her.
- In her interrogation tape with Sgt. Duffy, she reveals she didn’t hide Catherine Rothberg’s money. She used it to piss her off, because Catherine was a big republican, so she donated it to lesbian centers, fertility clinics, etc.
- Returned to England between the events of The L Word and Generation Q».
- Peggy Peabody: Bisexual, portrayed by Holland Taylor; minor character with appearances in seasons 1 through 6.
- Major supporter of the CAC and Bette Porter in Season 1.
- Mother of Helena Peabody, gave the reins of her Foundation to her daughter in Season 2.
- Had an affair with Marilyn in 1973. Restarted a relationship with her in episode 3.12: «Left Hand of the Goddess».
- Lara Perkins: Lesbian, portrayed by Lauren Lee Smith; minor character with appearances during seasons 1 through 3.
- Dated Dana Fairbanks during season 1, and later during season 3.
- Dated Gabby Deveaux during season 2.
- Starts a relationship with Alice Pieszecki during episode 3.11: «Last Dance», which ended before episode 4.01: «Legend in the Making».
- A connection to Claybourne is shown on the final chart that appears in the third season finale.
- Isabella Pernao: Portrayed by Carmen Aguirre; minor character with appearance during season 1.
- Was the performer of the art piece Jesus Is in Me, presented by Bette Porter during the Provocations exhibit.
- Trish Peverell: Straight, portrayed by Nicole McKay; minor character with appearance during season 1.
- Dated Tim Haspel during season 1.
- Franklin Phillips: Straight, portrayed by Michael Tomlinson; minor character with appearance during seasons 1 and 2.
- Board member of the CAC. Supervisor of Bette Porter.
- Alice Pieszecki: Bisexual, portrayed by Leisha Hailey; main character.
- Daughter of Lenore Pieszecki.
- Dated Bette Porter in 1996.
- Mentions to have been involved with Sean Heaney (Tina’s unsuccessful sperm donor) during the Pilot episode.
- Mentions to have slept with Nina while speaking to Dana during the Pilot episode.
- Was girlfriend of Katherine Claymore after graduating from college (mentioned in episode 1.03: «Let’s Do It»).
- During college she had a boyfriend named Gregg, with whom she had a band named «Butter». Mentioned in episode 1.12: «Looking Back».
- Dumped Gregg for Tayo, a lesbian bass-player. Mentioned in episode 1.12: «Looking Back».
- Restarts and ends an on-and-off steady hot-and-cold relationship with Gabby Deveaux during season 1.
- Dates «Lisa», the ‘lesbian-identified man’, during part of Season 1.
- Dates Andrew, right after dumping «Lisa».
- Has a stable relationship with Dana Fairbanks, during most of season 2.
- Had a rebound affair with April, who was the former girlfriend of her first boyfriend. Mentioned in episode 3.01: «Labia Majora».
- Dates vampirologist Uta Refson during episodes 3.05: «Lifeline» through 3.07: «Latecomer»
- Goes on a date with Xandra which was interrupted by Dana Fairbanks unhealthy state.
- Starts a relationship with Lara Perkins in episode 3.11: «Last Dance» which ended before episode 4.01: «Legend in the Making».
- Sleeps with Papi on episode 4.02: «Livin’ la Vida Loca».
- Has a relationship with Phyllis Kroll that lasts from episode 4.04: «Lay Up» to 4.06: «Luck Be a Lady».
- Has a relationship with Tasha Williams that starts in episode 4.06: «Luck Be a Lady».
- Lenore Pieszecki: Portrayed by Anne Archer; minor character with appearance during season 1.
- Mother of Alice Pieszecki.
- Attempts to seduce Shane McCutcheon during episode 1.05: «Lies, Lies, Lies».
- Angelica Porter-Kennard: Bisexual or lesbian, portrayed by Olivia Windbiel and Jordan Hull; main character appearing since season 2 and in Generation Q
- Daughter of Tina Kennard and Bette Porter.
- Her biological father is Marcus Allenwood.
- Started relationship with Jordi in «Labels»
- Bette Porter: Lesbian, portrayed by Jennifer Beals; the main character.
- Daughter of Melvin Porter.
- Half-sister of Kit Porter.
- Aunt of David Waters.
- Mother of Angelica Porter-Kennard.
- Slept with Coleman Alt in 1984.
- Kissed Kelly Freemont/Wentworth, her straight college roommate—mentioned during episode 6.02: «Least Likely». Her sister Kit later mentions that she almost killed herself over Kelly (episode 6.04: «Leaving Los Angeles»).
- Dated Alice Pieszecki in 1996.
- Had an affair with Candace Jewell starting in episode 1.13: «Locked Up» and ending in episode 2.01: «Life, Loss, Leaving».
- Had an eight-year relationship with Tina Kennard, with a separation at the end of season 1, due to her cheating with Candace, a reconciliation by the end of season 2, and a break-up during episode 3.09: «Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way».
- Had a one-night stand with an unidentified woman while in New York, during episode 2.04: «Lynch Pin».
- Had sex with a grad student of the university where she was the art department dean, named Nadia Karella, in episode 4.03: «Lassoed».
- Had a relationship with Jodi Lerner during seasons 4 and 5.
- Had an affair with the love of her life, Tina Kennard, in season 5 while she was dating Jodi Lerner, starting on episode 5.04: «Let’s Get This Party Started». They later got back together.
- Phyllis Kroll said Bette «was, is and will always be the woman of her dreams» during episode 6.03: «LMFAO»
- Resists Kelly’s attempt to seduce her during episode 6.06: «Lactose Intolerant».
- Kate ‘Kit’ Porter: Straight, portrayed by Pam Grier; main character.
- Daughter of Melvin Porter.
- Half-sister of Bette Porter.
- Mother of David Waters.
- Intended to start a relationship with Ivan Aycock during season 2.
- Had an affair with Benjamin Bradschaw during season 2.
- Has a relationship with Angus during season 3 and 4.
- Has an unsuccessful affair with Papi during season 4.
- Business rivalry with Dawn Denbo.
- Relationship with professional female impersonator and straight male named Sunset Boulevard in season 6.
- Melvin Porter: Straight, portrayed by Ossie Davis, minor character with appearances in seasons one and two.
- Bette and Kit Porter’s father; and David Waters and Angelica Porter-Kennard’s grandfather.
- Openly disapproved of Bette’s lesbian relationship with Tina, to include refusing to acknowledge Tina’s unborn child as his grandchild or calling Tina by her first name.
- Diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer during the episode «Loud and Proud» and decides to refuse medical treatment.
- Dies in the episode «L’Chaim» with Bette and Kit by his side.
Q–R[edit]
- «Ralph»: Portrayed by Tara Wilson; minor character with appearance alluded to during season 1 and 3.
- «Ralph» is a famous tennis player, whose real identity is kept secret by Dana because of her celebrity status. Mentioned during the «Pilot» episode.
- «Ralph» was Dana’s first lesbian experience when she was 17. It is first mentioned during the «Pilot» episode. «Ralph» appears during a flashback of Dana’s coming out story in episode 1.12: «Looking Back».
- Uta Refson: Bisexual, portrayed by Erica Cerra; minor character with appearance during season 3.
- Dated Alice Pieszecki during episodes 3.05: «Lifeline» through 3.07: «Lone Star».
- Melissa Rivers: Bisexual, portrayed by herself; minor character with appearance during season 2.
- Starts a relationship with Tonya in episode 2.06: «Lágrimas de oro».
- Robin: Lesbian, portrayed by Anne Ramsay. Dated Jenny from episode 1.12: «Looking Back» to 2.03: «Loneliest Number». Also dated Marina Ferrer briefly.
- Catherine Rothberg: Lesbian, portrayed by Sandrine Holt; minor character appearing in season 4.
- Is a professional gambler.
- Enslaves Helena Peabody under the guise of a relationship in season 4, as a means of getting money back that Helena owes her.
- Convinces Helena Peabody to bet $100,000 on a horse race, which she ends up losing and, consequently, is unable to fund Alice Pieszecki’s «Our Chart» website.
S[edit]
- Harry Samchuk: Gay, portrayed by Colin Cunningham; minor character with appearance in episodes 1.06: «Lawfully» and 1.07: «Losing It».
- Pays Clive to sleep with him.
- Attempts to seduce Shane McCutcheon, until Shane tells him she is a woman. (Episode 1.07: «Losing It»).
- Jenny Schecter: Lesbian, portrayed by Mia Kirshner; main character.
- Daughter of Sandy Ziskin. (First name revealed in Episode 1.07: «Losing It», and last name revealed in 3.01: «Labia Majora»).
- Stepdaughter of Warren Ziskin.
- Engaged and married to Tim Haspel during season 1. By the beginning of season 2, they already were divorced.
- Best friend of Shane McCutcheon
- Writes a story for «The New Yorker», which later becomes a book and ultimately a Hollywood movie starring Niki Stevens, entitled «Lez Girls», based on the lives of herself, Tina Kennard, Bette Porter, Marina Ferrer, Shane McCutcheon, Alice Pieszecki, Tim Haspel, Kit Porter, Dana Fairbanks and Helena Peabody, in the book, named respectively: Jesse, Nina, Bev, Karina, Shaun, Alyse, Jim, Kat, Donna and Helen.
- Seduced by Marina Ferrer and had an affair with her during season 1, Jenny’s first relationship with another woman.
- Had an affair with Nick Barashov during her college years. Mentioned in episode 1.05: «Lies, Lies, Lies».
- Attempted to date Dana Fairbanks during episode 1.11: «Liberally».
- Dated Robin from episode 1.12: «Looking Back» to 2.03: «Loneliest Number».
- Dated Gene Feinberg from episode 1.13: «Locked Up» to 2.01: «Life, Loss, Leaving».
- Had a relationship with Carmen de la Pica Morales during season 2.
- Had a relationship with Max Sweeney during season 3.
- Started an affair with Claude during episode 3.12: «Left Hand of the Goddess».
- Had a relationship with Niki Stevens during season 5.
- Had a relationship with Shane McCutcheon during season 6.
- Died by suicide in the series finale; manner of death confirmed in The L Word: Generation Q
- Harrison Scott: Closeted gay, portrayed by Landy Cannon; minor character with appearance in seasons 1 and 3.
- Doubles partner and make-believe boyfriend of Dana Fairbanks before she came out as lesbian.
- Paige Sobel: Bisexual, portrayed by Kristanna Loken. Has a relationship with Shane McCutcheon during season 4.
- Mother of Jared Sobel, school friend of Shay McCutcheon
- Niki Stevens: Lesbian, portrayed by Kate French; recurring character appearing in seasons 5 and 6.
- Famous movie star reportedly based on Lindsay Lohan.[2]
- Is closeted in her public life.
- Had a relationship with Jenny Schecter in season 5.
- Hooked up with Shane McCutcheon after her relationship with Jenny Schecter ended in season 5 and pursues a relationship with her in season 6.
- Dated a boi named Jimmi. Mentioned in episode 5.05 «Lookin’ at You, Kid»
- Had an affair with Paris Hilton. Mentioned in episode 6.02 «Least Likely»
- Max Sweeney: Bisexual trans man portrayed by Daniel Sea. Joined the main cast during season 3. First appeared in episode 3.01: «Labia Majora».
- Has a relationship with Jenny Schecter during season 3.
- Has an affair with Billie Blaikie during season 3.
- Dated Brooke during the beginning of season 4.
- Has an affair with Grace during season 4 that bridges into friendship during season 5.
- Dates Tom, the interpreter for Jodi Lerner, during season 5.
- Is impregnated and abandoned by Tom in season 6.
T[edit]
- Tayo: Lesbian, portrayed by Marta Jaciubek; minor character with appearance only in season 1, episode 1.12: «Looking Back».
- Had an affair with Alice Pieszecki during her college years. Mentioned in episode 1.12: «Looking Back». Tayo is Alice’s first lesbian experience.
- Tonya: Lesbian, portrayed by Meredith McGeachie; minor character with appearance in seasons 1 through 3.
- Was engaged to Dana Fairbanks until episode 2.06: «Lágrimas de oro».
- Had a relationship with Melissa Rivers that started in episode 2.06: «Lágrimas de oro», but ended somewhere before episode 3.10: «Losing the Light».
U–V[edit]
- Carolyn Varajian: Straight, portrayed by Jennifer Copping; minor character with appearance during season 1.
- Married to Randy Jackson.
- Conrad Voynow: Straight, portrayed by Ari Cohen; minor character with appearance during season 1.
- Conrad was Dana’s manager during season 1, before she came out as a lesbian during the Subaru campaign.
W[edit]
- David Waters: Straight, portrayed by Colin Lawrence; minor character.
- Son of Kit Porter.
- Nephew of Bette Porter.
- Grandchild of Melvin Porter.
- Does not accept Bette and Tina’s decision to raise their daughter Angelica together in a lesbian relationship and refuses to vouch for them in front of their adoption social worker.
- Yolanda Watkins: Lesbian, portrayed by Kimberly Hawthorne; minor character with appearance in season 1.
- Dated Candace Jewell.
- Mark Wayland: Straight, portrayed by Eric Lively; major character in season 2.
- Documentary film maker; roomed with Shane McCutcheon and Jenny Schecter.
- Betrayed Jenny Schecter and Shane McCutcheon by setting up hidden cameras throughout the house.
- Kelly Wentworth: Bisexual, portrayed by Elizabeth Berkley; minor character appearing in season 6.
- College roommate of Bette Porter
- Opens an art gallery in Los Angeles with Bette Porter in season 6.
- Unsuccessfully tries to seduce Bette Porter in season 6.
- Tasha Williams: Lesbian, portrayed by Rose Rollins; major character with appearances in seasons 4 through 6.
- Best friend of Papi.
- In a relationship with Alice Pieszecki in seasons 4, 5 and 6.
- Was a Captain in the Army National Guard and a Military Police officer.
- Did a tour in Iraq, where she witnessed some of her subordinates getting killed.
- Suffers from Posttraumatic stress disorder as a result of her wartime service.
- Was discharged from the Army under «Don’t ask, don’t tell» by confessing her love for Alice Pieszecki during her separation board on the episode «Lay Down the Law».
- Continued to date Alice after her discharge, but had relationship problems stemming from various issues to include Alice making more money than her and the introduction of Jaime Chen.
- Decides to become a civilian police officer and was attending the police academy as of season 6.
- Joyce Wischnia: Lesbian, portrayed by Jane Lynch; minor character with appearances in seasons 2 through 6.
- Slept with almost all of her clients.
- Joyce was Tina Kennard’s lawyer during the separation case she filed to Bette Porter, during season 2.
- Courted Tina Kennard during season 2.
- Became Bette Porter’s attorney for the sole custody petition she filed against Tina Kennard during season 3. Later served as a mediator to settle shared custody during season 4.
- Had a relationship with Phyllis Kroll during seasons 4, 5 and 6, after having recused herself as Phyllis’s divorce attorney because of their romantic interest.
- Dr. Wilson: Portrayed by Judith Maxie; minor character with appearance in seasons 1 through 3.
- Dr. Wilson is Tina Kennard’s gynecologist.
- Dr. Wilson was also the doctor of Dana Fairbanks when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Francesca Wolff: Lesbian, portrayed by Lolita Davidovich; minor character with appearance in season 1.
- Partner of Marina Ferrer; mentioned during season 1.
- Had an affair with a prima ballerina in Portugal; mentioned during season 1.
X[edit]
- Xandra: Lesbian, goes on a date with Alice in episode 3.10: «Losing the Light» before Dana gets sick.
Y[edit]
- Henry Young: Straight, portrayed by Steven Eckholdt; minor character with appearances in seasons 3 and 4.
- Father of Mikey Young.
- Had a relationship with Tina Kennard that began in episode 3.09: «Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way», unaware that Tina was using him to get sole custody of Angelica. He ended the relationship and had her move out of his home in season 4 when he realized the truth.
- Mikey Young: Minor character with appearance in season 3.
- Son of Henry Young.
Z[edit]
- Sandy Ziskin or Sandy Schecter: Straight, portrayed by Margot Kidder; minor character alluded to during seasons 1 and 2, with appearance in episode 3.01: «Labia Majora».
- Mother of Jenny Schecter. Her name is revealed in season 1.
- Warren Ziskin: Straight, portrayed by Stephen Aberle; minor character with appearance during episode 3.01: «Labia Majora».
- Married to Sandy Ziskin.
- Stepfather of Jenny Schecter.
References[edit]
- ^ Millett, Kate (2000). Sita. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press. p. 321.
- ^ Bendix, Trish (October 8, 2012). «Morning Brew — Mon. Oct. 8: «The L Word» character based on Lindsay Lohan, Sophie B. Hawkins plays Janis Joplin». AfterEllen.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
Further reading[edit]
- Kera Bolonik, The L Word: Welcome to Our Planet. New York: Fireside. 2006.
The characters from The L Word.
open/close all folders
Main Cast
Jenny Schecter
Played By: Mia Kirshner
- Author Avatar: Loosely based on one of the show’s creators-who Ilene Chaiken got kicked off later. She also creates herself an enervate, Jessie, in the Show Within a Show, Lez Girls.
- Betty and Veronica: She is the Archie to Marina’s Veronica and Tim’s Betty in season 1, and to Claude’s Veronica and Max’s Betty near the end of season 4.
- Brutally Honest: With her friends, not her sexual or romantic partners.
- Chewing the Scenery: From season 3 onward. Part of the reason fans really started hating her.
- Coming-Out Story: Her arc in season 1.
- Dark and Troubled Past: She was always a bit off, but it doesn’t get explained in detail until season 2. She was gang-raped by boys as a kid, and her parents chose to ignore it instead of helping her, allowing it to «fester into this psychosis» as she puts it. She makes the best of it later though-her autobiographical book about it puts her into the spotlight that allows her to write a serialized novel, Lez Girls, and make it into a movie.
- Driven to Suicide: Generation Q reveals that she actually died from suicide.
- Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunette: Pale, dark-haired, and melancholic. It’s particularly noticeable in season 2, when her hair is short and spare, and her eye makeup is darker and more dramatic, emphasizing her waifish looks.
- Face�Heel Turn: A less dramatic variation in seasons 4-6. She doesn’t betray anyone, per se, but she does become more impulsive and self-centered, leaning towards The Friend Nobody Likes.
- Fish out of Water: In LA in seasons 1 and 2. She gets over it.
- Freudian Excuse: Jenny herself believes her rape as a child made her into the «dysfunction liar» (her words) she becomes later, given her repressed trauma over it.
- The Gadfly: She loves bringing up inappropriate topics to shock the conservative and stuffy. Best displayed when Max tries to take her to a posh company dinner in season 3.
Corporate Executive: My wife zones out when I talk shop too, Jenny.
The Mrs.: I do; I think about golfing, I think about my manicure, I think about my kids…
Jenny: I was just thinking about how when I was a kid, I used to masturbate like twenty times a day and I’m writing a story about it, but I don’t know if it should be straight-up fiction or like, a New Yorker-style essay piece. I just don’t know. - Important Haircut: Gets one in season 2, because Long Hair Is Feminine and she wants to show up on the Gaydar.
- Informed Judaism: She’s established to be Jewish, though this doesn’t come up that much or ever affect her character. It appears she’s only culturally or ethnically Jewish, with Jenny not practicing Judaism that we see, though flashbacks from her past indicate her family may have been Orthodox. The most notable mention is the fact that her grandmother survived the Holocaust in Europe.
- Manipulative Bitch: Jenny starts becoming this in Season 5, starting by seducing the girlfriend of a reporter who’d trashed her memoir to prove she’s not really so saintly as made out. To this end, she does things such as get an old dog to garner sympathy from the woman (a vet) as he needs euthanasia, and tricks the reporter off on a fake interview.
- Rape as Backstory: It turns out that Jenny had been gang raped by older boys, which is most of what’s learned about her past, since this affected her so much.
Bette Porter
Played By: Jennifer Beals
- The Ace: Beautiful, smart, self-made wealthy, sophisticated, charismatic, athletic… Then her relationship with Tina ends and she loses it completely.
- All Lesbians Want Kids : Part of her Establishing Character Moment in the pilot.
- Amicable Exes:
- She eventually gets there with Tina, after things get really really ugly.
- She and Alice also count, as they had a fling before Bette met Tina.
- Berserk Button: How dare you bring up my stillborn baby, You Monster!.
- Brainy Brunette: Very intellectual, well-read and sophisticated brunette.
- But Not Too Black: She’s been blamed for invoking this trope using her biracial background, though she embraces her blackness (even specifically getting an African-American donor to impregnate her partner so their baby would reflect them both).
- Deadpan Snarker: So much so.
- The Determinator: It doesn’t always work out, but she always puts up a fight. Her reaction to the controversy over Provocations in the first season establishes her pretty well.
- Double Standard: Rape, Female on Female: After Tina catches her cheating with Candace, she initiates intercourse with Tina, who protests several times at first. This is never brought up again and never called out for being rape.
- The Fashionista: An interesting take on the trope. She isn’t exactly girly, but she has a thing for expensive snappy power suits and sharp heels.
Jodi: You’re always so clean. I can’t imagine you ever getting dirty.
- Granola Girl: In her Buddhist phase.
- Hippie Parents: She and Tina are this to Angelica.
- Hot Teacher: While teaching at the university, to Indiana Jones levels.
- Modesty Bedsheet: Alone of the main cast, Bette covers her breasts with a sheet post coitus, as a result of Jennifer Beals’ apparent refusal to show hers (Bette’s never seen topless in the show or Generation Q, the Sequel Series).
- Parental Abandonment: Bette’s mother left while she was a girl, and her father dies from cancer in Season 2 (even prior they were estranged over her sexual orientation).
- Soapbox Sadie: She flirts with this trope every now and then, especially when it comes to freedom of speech. Do NOT challenge her convictions about art.
- «Well Done, Daughter!» Girl: Her father’s opinions are very important to her. However, her being lesbian gets in the way a bit. Kit tries to help her understand that he’s a bigot in his own right and striving for his perfect approval is a hopeless quest, but she never entirely stops.
- Why Would Anyone Take Him Back?: In-Universe. Tina lampshades it herself — why would she ever get together with Bette? But she does.
Tina Kennard
Played By: Laurel Holloman
- All Lesbians Want Kids: Part of her Establishing Character Moment in the pilot. However, it’s a bigger part of her character, especially in early seasons than Bette’s.
- Amicable Exes: She eventually gets there with Bette, after things get really really ugly.
- Ethical Slut: For a short while after ending things with Bette. Must have gotten it from Helena…
- Has a Type: Tall, dark, bossy, snarky and handsome.
- Hippie Parents: She and Bette are this to Angelica.
- Holier Than Thou: She gives everyone shit about cheating, then she hooks up with Bette in all sorts of inappropriate occasions, including when Bette is with Jodi.
- I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: Helps Bette get Jodi back, when she still has feelings for Bette herself.
- Soapbox Sadie: More so than Bette-but although she goes there often, she doesn’t really play it straight either.
Alice Pieszecki
Played By: Leisha Hailey
- Beware the Nice Ones: She gets personal fast in a fight.
- Cannot Keep a Secret: Comes with being a Gossipy Hen.
- The Cutie: She is very sweet and quirky.
- Deadpan Snarker: Bordering on Snark Knight at times.
- Intrepid Reporter: She’s something of a politically minded gay Carrie Bradshaw.
- Plucky Girl: She eventually takes all things in a stride.
- Savvy Guy, Energetic Girl: An inverted trope, since it involves two women in a relationship. Alice is the energetic girl to Tasha’s savvy girl.
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: With Tasha the Shell-Shocked Veteran.
- Token Minority: For most of the series, Alice is the sole bisexual, which gets her some flack from lesbians.
Shane McCutcheon
Played By: Katherine Moennig
- Bifauxnen: Shane has very short, loose hair, wearing boyish clothes with a masculine attitude and husky tone of voice. When she worked as a prostitute, her clients were gay men (Shane didn’t engage in anal sex or undress, so they wouldn’t notice). Even in the present she’s mistaken for male and seen as a hot young man by some gay guys while visiting a gay bar along with a friend (she has to correct them because they can’t tell).
- The Casanova: Shane goes through many women during the series and only briefly is with a woman longer than casual sex.
- Contralto of Danger: Shane, the most masculine of the main lesbians, has a low and husky voice.
- Dark and Troubled Past: Shane’s dark past is not focused on as much, but is still mentioned. In Seasons 1-2, we learn that she was once forced to work as a (pretending-to-be-male) prostitute, that she was essentially abandoned by her parents, has various drug addictions, etc. These events are strongly implied to be the reason she is such a loyal friend, but terrible with relationships/commitment — she feels the need to please others, is satisfied with very little for herself, but is afraid to commit to anyone or anything. The later seasons continue to add heartbreaking details — Shane is thrilled to simply have her own, tiny little room because she’s apparently never had her own before. (In Season 6, Jenny, of course, promptly converts Shane’s room into a study one day when Shane is out, assuming that since they’re now sleeping together, she’ll just move into Jenny’s room with her!)
- Even the Girls Want Her: Shane has some sort of power to make all straight women Spaghetti Girls.◊
- Heterosexual Life-Partners: With Alice. Despite her proclivity for fucking up relationships, she is an unswerving friend. Though obviously, the «heterosexual» part doesn’t apply here.
- Indifferent Beauty: She knows how she affects women, but she is hardly vain. However, she does have nipple confidence!
- In the Blood: Her father is a serial womanizer, though he uses women and lies to them, and Shane mostly just Really Gets Around.
- Intimate Marks: Shane’s got a tattoo at the base of her spine, as shown when she’s topless a couple times.
- Messy Hair: Somewhat subverted, as it is a stylistic choice — a desirable one at that too. However, it does reflect her general IDGAF attitude.
- Parental Substitute: Shane is thrust into parenthood as her little brother Shay, whom she’s just met, gets dumped in her care by his mother. However, she ends up loving this and says it’s the best thing she’s ever had in her life.
- The Pornomancer: Shane rarely has to do anything with seducing women. Just being around tends to attract them, even when the women were seemingly straight.
- Runaway Bride: Ditches Carmen at the altar, which she comes to regret.
- She Cleans Up Nicely: Shane actually looks very nice wearing a dress and with her hair down, though it was only for going to Carmen’s cousin’s quinceañera as this is really different from her normal style (she puts it on reluctantly to attend).
- The Stoic: Mostly. In her more Byronic moments you can see she is Not So Stoic.
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: The tomboy to Jenny and Alice’s Girly Girl.
- Tomboyish Name: She has this as the resident bifauxnen lesbian tomboy of the cast.
Kit Porter
Played By: Pam Grier
- The Alcoholic: She gets on and off the wagon throughout the series.
- The Atoner: She really want to make amends for her days before rehab, particularly to her family.
- Big Beautiful Woman: Of the Sassy Black Woman orientation. Papi approves.
- But I Can’t Be Pregnant!: Kit, who’s going through menopause, got pregnant by acccident anyway. She’s incredulous and used multiple tests to be sure.
- Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: The foolish to Bette’s responsible one.
- Hair-Trigger Temper: You don’t mess with Kit Porter. Ever.
- Incompatible Orientation: With Papi. To her credit, she does try, but Kit just wasn’t made in that mold.
- Killed Offscreen: In Generation Q it turns out that she died from a heroin overdose at some point after the end of the original show.
Helena Peabody
Played By: Rachel Shelley
- Brainy Brunette: A smart, posh brunette.
- Cultural Rebel: First when she moves to LA, later when she goes to jail, and from there to Haiti.
- The Fashionista: She loves designer footwear.
- I Am Very British: Helena is English and speaks with an upper class accent.
- Lipstick Lesbian: She’s glamorous with long hair, stylish clothing (often pantsuits) and has impeccable manners most of the time.
- Money Fetish: For a while after her mother cuts her off.
- Ms. Fanservice: While pretty much all females fit this trope, no one does cleavage better then Helena.
- New Old Flame: With Dylan. Also a serious case of Why Would Anyone Take Him Back?, seeing how terribly Dylan treated her.
- Old Money: Discussed, though it used more to characterize her relationship with her mother.
- Rich Bitch: Originally introduced as one, though it is subverted pretty early on.
- Tall, Dark, and Handsome: A Statuesque Stunner with long, dark hair.
- Treadmill Trauma: Falls off one when she gets a text from Alice about Shane and Jenny dating.
Moira/Max Sweeney
Played By: Daniel Sea
- The Bus Came Back: Returned in Season 3 of Generation Q and was revealed to be happily married with a big family.
- But I Can’t Be Pregnant!: He gets pregnant with Tom the interpreter’s baby, and didn’t think this could be possible after taking so many male hormones.
- Dogged Nice Guy: To Brooke, who had a fit when she found out he was trans.
- Fish out of Water: In glitzy West Hollywood, as he’s from a small town in the Midwest. He never entirely gets over the contrast.
- The Friend Nobody Likes: Of the just-not-that-close variety. Except for Shane and Jenny (who is rarely nice to him), no one seems to really like him. Not even Alice, who works with him.
- Hair-Trigger Temper: Max develops one after he starts taking testosterone, having outbursts over minor things and dismaying Jenny, his girlfriend, who says she doesn’t recognize him. It turns out this is due to his dose being much too high. This changes back to how he was once it’s adjusted.
- Incompatible Orientation: With Jenny. An interesting example, as in the beginning of the relationship they were two compatible female lesbians. After Max comes out of the closet as male and undergoes changes, Jenny is no longer interested, and they become Just Friends.
Max: I know I’ve been kind of a jerk since I’ve been on the testosterone, but I’m getting better. I don’t see what the problem is.
Jenny: The problem is, Max, you identify as a straight man, and you want me to be your straight girlfriend, and I identify as a lesbian who likes to fuck girls. - Mister Seahorse: Max gets pregnant while transitioning to male (and looks quite masculine due to the hormones he’s been taking).
- Nice Guy: Too nice for his own good, probably. Aside from briefly turning into a jerk due to his testosterone dose being too high, Max is extremely nice to everybody, even transphobic family and colleagues, reacting at most with quiet sadness.
- Only Sane Man: He has his fair share of drama, but compared to the soapy, wild lives of the rest, he’s pretty down-to-earth.
- The Quiet One: Especially when compared with his very talkative surroundings.
- Took a Level in Jerkass: Briefly in season 3, due to the hormones he’d been taking. He gets better after finding out that the dose he was on was way too much.
- Trans Tribulations: Max faces pushback even from friends over transitioning, difficulty paying for top surgery, getting testosterone too high which severely affects his mood, and worst of all frequent transphobia even from his family (who don’t want him to even attend his mom’s funeral).
Tasha Williams
Played By: Rose Rollins
- Butch Lesbian: Tasha is a soft butch, and definitely a tomboy. She starts out as a tough, tacturn soldier suffering from PTSD who wears tanktops often or sleeveless shirts in civilian garb, with long hair but having it pulled back in a bun mostly.
- Closet Gay: Tasha is partly closeted due to being in the military, when Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was still in place. She’s cautious about PDA with her girlfriend, and when found out gets warned by her CO not to let it ever happen again or he’ll report her. Later she’s prosecuted by the Army for homosexual conduct (which she’s guilty of), but the prosecutor is herself a closeted lesbian afraid Tasha’s lover Alice will out her so she allows Tasha a way off to stay in the Army. Tasha though refuses to take it and admits she does love Alice on the stand, coming out in the courtroom.
- Gay Conservative: Tasha’s an Iraq War veteran who clashes with Alice while they’re dating, since the latter opposes the war. She expresses support of the war effort and the US rebuilding Iraqi society. Both agree to disagree though, and their relationship overcomes this (they later break up, but not over politics).
- Has a Type: Tasha says she’s into girly girls, thus why Popi didn’t work out with her (who’s a tomboy).
- Hidden Depths: At first Tasha just seems largely taciturn and doesn’t emote much. She then consoles Leonard, Phyllis’s husband, in a very sensitive way, surprising her friends.
- Military Brat: She used to be one. Her father was in the military too.
- Odd Friendship: With Papi. Papi is a Spicy Latina who Really Gets Around, whereas Tasha is a quiet, stern Token Wholesome.
- Only Sane Woman: In a sea of melodramatic self-righteous straw liberals, Tasha just makes her point.
- Opposites Attract: She’s quiet, conservative and reserved. Her girlfriend Alice is loud, liberal and outgoing.
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: Tasha is blue (quiet, reserved, cool) in contrast to Papi’s red (who’s a passionate Spicy Latina and Really Gets Around).
- Salt and Pepper: An unusual example. Tasha’s black and the straitlaced one, a quiet soldier dating Alice, her girlfriend who’s white plus far more unconventional.
- Savvy Guy, Energetic Girl: An unusual take on the trope, as it revolves around two women. Tasha is the savvy to Alice’s energetic girl.
- Shell-Shocked Veteran: A former military officer who was stationed in Iraq, and still sometimes gets bad flashbacks from battle.
- Token Wholesome: In a show that has at least two sex scenes per episode, Tasha is surprisingly tame. She’s in a committed relationship with Alice when they date, and has only one sex scene, which is the lowest of all the lesbians.
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: Tasha is a tomboy soldier who dated Alice, who’s a more girly civilian.
- Trauma Button: Tasha has a lot of PTSD triggers, even really simple things setting them off. Initially as well she won’t talk about them, leaving Alice confused.
- When She Smiles: Her demeanor is usually very calm and even strict, but when she laughs…
Former Main Characters
Dana Fairbanks
Played By: Erin Daniels
- Author Avatar: Loosely based on one of the show’s creators.
- Coming-Out Story: Complete with The Beard, conservative parents and some Gayngst.
- Covert Pervert: Alice and Tonya seem to bring it out in her.
- Dogged Nice Girl: To Lara.
- Endearingly Dorky: She lacks confidence, being quirky and downright dorky at times, especially when it’s time to hit on someone. People seem to find it attractive.
- Just Friends: With Jenny. They lacked all kinds of chemistry.
- Lesbian Jock: Dana is a professional tennis player who publicly comes out as a lesbian.
- Lethal Diagnosis: Breast cancer.
- Passionate Sports Girl: She is a professional tennis player and very into her sport.
Tim Haspel
Played By: Eric Mabius
Main character in season 1. Tim is Jenny’s boyfriend at the start of the series.
- Amicable Exes: He attempts to be this to Jenny during his short reappearance in season 3, but when they’re unable to reconcile their differences when they meet again.
- Betty and Veronica: He is the Betty to Marina’s Veronica, being seen as the «safe and stable» option.
- Disposable Fianc�: He and Jenny did get married, but it barely lasted a week.
- Emasculated Cuckold: Jenny keeps sleeping with Marina behind his back for most of season 1 and he’s portrayed as being very humiliated by it when he finds out, especially since it was an Open Secret to everyone else and refuses to take Jenny back.
- Good Luck Charm: Tim is very superstitious, and brings a stopwatch with him to work every day.
- Nice Guy: Eventually subverted, though he did have a right to be mad. He took it a bit far.
- Put on a Bus: After his divorce from Jenny, he leaves for Ohio in the first episode of season 2 and only has a few guest appearances in later seasons.
- Took a Level in Jerkass: At first he’s portrayed as a fairly generic if Nice Guy who was understandably upset about Jenny cheating on him, but later appearances have him show up to express some homophobic and transphobic views.
Marina Ferrer
Played By: Karina Lombard
Main character in season 1. Owner of the Planet and Jenny’s Love Interest.
- The Bartender: Of her own lesbian bar, The Planet.
- Betty and Veronica: The Veronica to Tim’s Betty and Jenny’s Archie, being the «dangerous seductress» who disrupts Jenny’s stable life.
- Closet Key: Marina seducing Jenny is what gets the latter to find out she’s into women.
- Contralto of Danger: Her low voice is very seductive. Lampshaded by Jenny.
- Driven to Suicide: After she has a nervous breakdown, she attempts to commit suicide via pills. She survives, but is Put on a Bus by going back to her family in Italy due to it.
- Femme Fatale: She’s portrayed as a sexually aggressive woman who seduces Jenny even though she knows Jenny is with Tim. Her promo even labels her as «The Hunter».
- Love at First Sight: She and Jenny have an instant connection while talking about literature, complete with sensual Held Gaze.
Alice: Well, I’m just gonna leave you two alone to get married.
- Put on a Bus: At the beginning of season 2, she is sent to her family in Italy after a failed attempt at suicide.
- Sex Goddess: Jenny claims Marina was the best sex she ever had in her life.
Jenny: No, no, no, you guys, you guys, I’m serious. This is probably the best sex that anybody can have on the fucking planet Earth.
- Statuesque Stunner: She is way taller than Jenny.
Carmen de la Pica Morales
Eva «Papi» Torres
Played By: Janina Gavankar
Main character in season 4. A legendary womanizer who befriends the group.
- All Gays are Promiscuous: She’s an amped-up Shane. She’s been with over a thousand women.
- The Casanova: Papi is renowned as a legendary lesbian seducer, and seduces Alice within minutes after meeting her.
- Dashing Hispanic: Interestingly inverted. She is a charming womanizer with a Spanish accent but she’s a woman.
- Ethical Slut: She might be extremely promiscuous, but she’s open about it and doesn’t want to hurt the women she hooks up with. She even has a «rule of conduct» when it comes to dating, such as not sleeping with the roommates of her lovers. Despite her sassy attitude, she’s ultimately a kind person and loyal friend.
- Even the Girls Want Her: Straight girls. More of an Informed Attribute. Unfortunately for her, this did not include Kit.
- A Friend in Need: Tasha lampshades this often. Papi is a very loyal friend.
- Gratuitous Spanish: Constantly speaks in Spanish, to illustrate her being a Spicy Latina
- Incompatible Orientation: With Kit. Papi is really into her, but Kit is just too straight.
- Latin Lover: She’s a Spicy Latina legendary womanizer.
- Lesbian Jock: Papi is very athletic and her favorite place to meet girls is at the basketball games she’s playing in.
- The Nicknamer: She sometimes calls people the Spanish variant of their name. Alice becomes Alisia and so forth.
- Not Staying for Breakfast: Papi is a Love ‘Em And Leave ‘Em type. It’s even part of her «rules».
Papi: Rule #1 — Papi doesn’t do breakfast.
- Odd Friendship: With Tasha. Papi is a Spicy Latina who Really Gets Around, whereas Tasha is a quiet, stern Token Wholesome.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: She’s only known as «Papi» for the majority of her screentime, with her real name being revealed as Eva Torres much later.
- Really Gets Around: A thousand hookups. That’s just a lot of work…
Papi: I just do my thing. I live my life and my life has girls in it.
- Sex Goddess: She’s legendary for her sexual prowess. She claims to be really good at «making [women] feel good» and that she can make a woman orgasm with just a kiss. She proves it when she sleeps with Alice, bringing her to multiple loud orgasms throughout the night.
- Shrouded in Myth: Initially. Alice finds her on The Chart, a social networking site for lesbians that maps sexual relationships. Papi has over 1000 hits. It takes Alice a couple episodes to find her, given that she goes to Latin clubs asking for «papi»-not a name, just «daddy» in Spanish.
- Spicy Latina: Even more so than Carmen. Papi is a sexy Latina with a hot temper and a sassy attitude.
- Unknown Rival: She tries to get a friendly rivalry with Shane, but Shane’s just too disinterested to care.