The L Word, that stylish lesbian TV drama straight outta Los Angeles, has been steadily attracting growing attention around the world. In Japan, too, the sensation was evident with Jennifer Beals' promotional visit in February of this year - soon followed by a wild commotion over Katherine Moennig's arrival in August.

The L Word's cable broadcasting station, Showtime announced in March that the show would be renewed for one more season, Season 6, scheduled to air from January 2009. While many hearts were broken by the news that the beloved series will be reaching its end, word of a spin-off currently in the works has been resounding consolation, especially since Alice is set to take center stage!

American viewers of the program have hardly been able to contain themselves as hopes and questions boil forth: "Will there be a happy end?", "Will Marina return?", "What will become of Helena and her lover?", and "And I don't care how it happens - I just gotta see Dana!"

With the stakes this high, Rose Troche - the film and TV director of "Go Fish" fame and directorial mastermind behind Seasons 1-3 of The L Word, was working on location in Vancouver, Canada when she called on Anna Margarita Albelo, AKA Anna La Chocha - the director of "A Lez in Wonderland", to come help out on the set.

Ms. Albelo has sent TW her own location report following filming of the groundbreaking program's final season!

Anna Margarita Albelo's homepage can be found here: www.annaalbelo.com
Her Myspace page can be found here: www.myspace.com/annalachocha

Hello TW Readers! Anna Margarita Albelo here!

I was asked by Rose Troche, director of the lesbian cult film "Go Fish" and executive director for Seasons 1-3 of The L Word, to be a part of filming for the actual final season of The L Word in Vancouver this summer!

Despite the fact that Season 5 was originally announced as the program's last, Showtime decided to bring back the show for one more season after incredible protest by fans last year. They gave our dear lipstick lesbians and their friends a new mini-season of eight episodes. (Note: If you agitate enough, you can win anything!)

So, there I was, spending nine days together with Shane, Alice, Bette, Kate, Leisha, and Jennifer. Honestly, I got the feeling that each actress, in real life, actually resembles her character. Also, I spent many-a-night sipping drinks at their hotel bar with Shane. (OK, there were many people from the crew there too, but you gotta let me dream a little!)

One afternoon I saw Jennifer Beals - Bette herself! - rehearsing an ultra-sexy dance scene for hours on end! She was an absolute professional, and a sensual, beautiful, and intelligent woman - I got goosebumps just from being in her presence. One day she even whispered in my ear, "I just finished shooting a film in French with actress Sandrine Bonnaire." Hot!

I'll fill you in a little more on what happened on the set...in the next installment!

translated by rayna rusenko