Showtime Renews Arienne Mandi’s “The L Word: Generation Q” for Second Season

There’s more Word play Arienne Mandi’s future…

Showtime has renewed The L Word: Generation Q, starring the Latina actress, for a second season.

Arienne Mandi & Rosanny Zayas The L Word: Generation Q

The renewal comes ahead of the season finale of the reboot of the classic drama on January 26. The show, which launched on the ViacomCBS-owned premium network on December 8, has been handed another 10-episode run.

Showtime Networks President of Entertainment Jana Winograde revealed that the launch of The L Word: Generation Q drove the network’s biggest weekend of subscribers sign ups in 2019.

Season one has followed the intermingled lives of Bette Porter (Jennifer Beals), Shane McCutcheon (Katherine Moennig) and Alice Pieszecki (Leisha Hailey), along with new characters Dani Nùñez (Mandi), Micah Lee (Leo Sheng), Finley (Jacqueline Toboni), Sophie Suarez (Rosanny Zayas) and Gigi (Sepideh Moafi), as they experience love, heartbreak, sex, setbacks and success in L.A.

Based on The L Word, which aired on Showtime between 2004 and 2009, the reboot moved from West Hollywood to Silver Lake.

The show follows Bette weaving her way through a contentious mayoral run while co-parenting her and Tina’s teenage daughter; Shane returning to L.A. and embarking on her new career as owner of a lesbian bar while trying to save her marriage; and Alice stepping into the spotlight as host of her own queer-focused talk show.

Meanwhile, PR pro Dani is running communications for Bette’s campaign while balancing her relationship with fiancée Sophie, a producer for Alice’s show. Production assistant Finley and professor Micah are finding their footing in the L.A. dating scene, while Gigi navigates family dynamics with her ex, Nat, played by guest star Stephanie Allynne, who is Alice’s current girlfriend. Other season one guest stars include Megan RapinoeBrian Michael Smith, Olivia ThirlbyFortune Feimsterand Latarsha Rose.

 “The L Word: Generation Q took our original series that was revered and reinvigorated it for a new generation and a new era,” said Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc. “The result has been a show that appeals to all generations for its relevance, its fearlessness, its emotion and its fun. I can’t wait to see what Marja, along with Ilene and this talented ensemble, will deliver for season two.”

CBS All Access Renews Santiago Cabrera’s “Star Trek: Picard” for a Second Season

Santiago Cabrerawill be spending more time in space…

CBS All Access has officially renewed Star Trek: Picard, starring the 41-year-old Chilean actor, for a second season.  

Santiago Cabrera

The announcement comes after the series received millions in tax credits from the state of California last month.

“The energy and excitement around the premiere of Star Trek: Picard has reached a magnitude greater than all of us at CBS All Access could have hoped for,” proclaimed Julie McNamara. “We’re thrilled to announce plans for a second season before the series’ debut, and we are confident that Star Trek fans and new viewers alike will be captured by the stellar cast and creative team’s meticulously crafted story when it premieres on January. 23,” the ViacomCBS owned streamer’s EVP, Original Content added.

While the Picard renewal is now official, there is no official word yet when Season 2 will premiere and how many episodes it will be. But the belief is that the Alex Kurtzman series is looking at a late 2020 or early 2021 lift-off with 10-episodes, similar to the soon-to-launch first season.

The much-anticipated Picard sees Patrick Stewart reprise his Star Fleet role for the first time since 2002’s Star Trek: Nemesis movie. The series also stars Next Gen vets Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner, Jeri RyanJonathan Del Arco, Michelle HurdIsa BrionesAlison Pill, Harry Treadawayand Evan Evagora.

Soledad O’Brien Named to Peabody Board of Directors

Soledad O’Brien is on board

In an effort to advance the organization’s commitment to storytelling, Peabody has appointed six new members to its bicoastal board of directors, including the 53-year-old half-Afro-Cuban American journalist.

Soledad O'Brien

Joining O’Brien, a presenter on HBO’s Real Sportsand host of Hearst Television’s Matter Of Fact with Soledad O’Brien, on the board are Chris McCarthyViacomCBS’ newly appointed president of entertainment and youth brands, and ESPN’s executive vice president of content, Connor Schell.

NPReditorial director Nancy Barnesand UnivisionCommunications’ executive vice president of government and corporate affairs Jessica Herrera-Flaniganhave also joined the board.

The five executives will serve on Peabody’s East Coast board, with the sixth new arrival, CAApartner Steven Lafferty, joining the organization’s West Coast board.

The bicoastal boards are distinct from the traditional board of jurors, which hands out the Peabody Awards. Existing board members include Vicechief Nancy DubucPBS CEO Paula Kergerand Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos.

Peabody executive director Jeffrey Jonessaid: “The intellectual capital and energy our boards bring is unparalleled, and we are excited to welcome these new members as they help us extend our reach through new partnerships and public engagements.”