Ask anyone and they will instantly tell you— The L Word doesn't just break the rules, it never had any rules to begin with... and THAT is indeed something rare and spectacular in television no matter who you are or what you happen to believe. Watch just 20 minutes of The L Word and you will become acutely aware that this show isn't just about sex... or talking about sex... or having sex... although it IS chock-full of each of the aforementioned items. Shot with bold undertones and richly woven substance— it's really about the complexities of relationships... and first and foremost WOMEN— and all of the wonderfully enigmatic entanglements that the estrogen brings along with it. The show seduces its viewers with thought-provoking paradigms and intricate trysts... it deliberately yet oh so subtly infuses us into many encompassing stories about these women's lives. The refreshing part about The L Word is that much like its predecessor, Queer As Folk, it strikes that universal chord which inevitably reminds each of us that we are all faced with the same dilemmas when it comes to relationship... that it is always a delicate balance, regardless of our gender or sexuality.

Jenny Schecter, an exquisite character [played very much like a treasured classical symphony by an extraordinary actress, Mia Kirshner], is a young writer who comes to Los Angeles to live with her boyfriend Tim Haspel [Eric Mabius] who happens to live next door to Bette and Tina, who happen to be lesbians. Jenny immediately becomes rather intrigued with the lesbian mystique, especially when she meets the devastatingly gorgeous café owner Marina [Karina Lombard]. Marina is a beguiling character study layered with more dimensions than a Star Trek voyage... and the connection between Jenny and Marina goes well beyond traditional lesbian boundaries or myths. It is instantaneous and compelling... just seething with raw primal sensuality... like a cool thunderstorm on a hot summer's day... And trust me, these two women turn up the heat with longing gazes that would put both Xena and Gabrielle on high alert. Marina is captivated with Jenny much like a smooth jaguar with a penchant for toying with its prey. Jenny appears to be a terrified bunny in the torrential spotlight of Marina's overwhelming sexual magnetism. She simply cannot resist the tall woman's "Machismo Femme", a phrase which fans of the show have cleverly referred to as being a culmination of all things sexy and alluring about Marina. Karina Lombard, who made an equally engaging debut in “Wide Sargasso Sea,” is also breathtaking in her role as the mysterious seductress with far more than an agenda in hand. She looks at Jenny with such absolute desire and passion that you cannot help but easily understand Jenny’s turmoil.

Mia Kirshner, the person, is extremely gifted and intellectual [having attended Montreal's McGill University to study 19th Century Russian Literature] an alluring flame, intensely strategic, cool, spontaneous, meticulous, articulate, shy and exceedingly private, all on purpose, mind you. She's never been comfortable with press and makes no qualms about the fact that the industry has become obsessed with creating controversy and keeping its women as naked as humanly possible in all situations. "It's so much harder to keep your clothes on than take them off in this business. Even in Exotica, they wanted more nudity, but I didn't feel comfortable at all with it," the actress quietly explains. “It’s difficult to interpret the real necessity for leaving far less to the imagination. I’m not convinced it’s for the sake of art. I grew up watching all of the 80s movies, films like, The Breakfast Club, Some Kind of Wonderful, Less Than Zero and  Pretty in Pink, to me they conveyed a deeper sense of who we all are once you cut away all of the adult baggage. To me, that’s far more powerful than nudity… and they certainly are exceptional films that still hold true today.”  

Born in Toronto on January 25th, 1976, Mia Kirshner was raised by her Bulgarian-born mother, Etti, an English teacher, and her German-born father, Sheldon, a journalist for The Canadian Jewish News. Her initial interest in following in her father's line of work was instantly redirected toward acting after watching Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind. “She was a culmination of everything an actress could possibly convey into one role,” Kirshner states rather profoundly. Kirshner also has a somewhat compulsive penchant for espresso, a habit she speaks of fondly, “My day always starts with a triple shot soy latte, cappuccino—The New York Times, a good gossip with all the girls [the cast]. We like to call them our morning chats, we play lots of music and we have lots and lots of giggles. Maybe more espresso... [she laughs] … actually a LOT more espresso! I love it so much! [she giggles more]”  When asked about all of her apprehensions about press Kirshner is immediately candid and forthcoming, “I am just an extremely private person, I always have been. And I always feel that I come across as this caricature or cartoon version of myself whenever I do these interviews. But I really do hope it's something that I never become used to, because I'm determined never to let my personal life be defined by my professional life. But I have to say, that I'm not that shy in my personal life— only when I do these interviews [she laughs]!”

After I assure her that we have no intention of linking her with Tom Cruise or Penelope Cruz, Kirshner feels compelled to explain further, “Oh it’s not you guys in particular [she laughs a bit harder]. I actually feel pretty comfortable right now. I think it's just like a defense mechanism I have or something— I’m not always aware of it. I think just being on a show like The L Word— one's sexuality can be the center of life, and coming out and discovering your sexuality is something that really can define your whole existence. To be a small part of something like that means so much to me. Because I've certainly grappled with those things myself from time to time. I believe we all have at some point or another, we just choose not to discuss it. And you know, we shouldn’t have to discuss it in some public forum or with someone we’re not comfortable with. It’s like anything else— we have to feel at ease with ourselves, you know, comfortable in our own skin… that takes work, but it’s worth all of the effort. This show really brings all of this full circle but it also allows the audience to see the gray areas… the struggles.”

Certainly not one to back away from controversial roles, Kirshner has opted for the career path much less traveled yet often spoken of with a great deal of respect by most working actors. One glance at her impressive resume soon reveals the core of her purposeful choices; Kirshner has taken the route of the true actress, and not the illustrious movie star, choosing more darkly intense projects such as Exotica, The Crow: City of Angels and Saturn for their integrity and artistic opportunities and certainly not their blockbuster potential. Jenny Schecter suits Kirshner as the actress is genuinely absorbed with the various intricacies of playing such a complex woman. “A lot of Jenny is sometimes based on my own experiences, or my friends' experiences, so the most challenging thing is to be as truthful as possible, even though sometimes it doesn't make Jenny look that respectable or that nice. I guess I would have to describe her as somebody at this point who is completely morally conflicted in so many areas of her life. But the way I approach the character isn't about being bisexual or gay or straight. It's really just about who you love and who or what inspires you to love. For me, as well as for Jenny, gender has very little to do with it.”

The L Word is quickly developing a rabid following and the Kirshner along with the rest of the cast is indeed looking forward to a second season. “Without sounding corny or over the top, there are very few difficult things about this job. The cast have all become my friends and I am terribly close with the crew— these people make me giggle all day long. You can’t ask for more than that.” UB

Bridget Petrella is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of UPBEAT Entertainment News Online. At this point in her life, she's seriously contemplating a complete and unbridled abandonment of typical network television... opting instead for Silver Surfer comic books, novels with wordy titles, Retro TV Land, HBO and Showtime's Original Programming schedule and of course... Nick at Night.

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