The L Word: A Photographic Journal

by Jennifer Beals

For the first time, take an intimate glimpse into the groundbreaking television show The L Word with behind-the-scenes photography taken by series star Jennifer Beals and ephemera from her personal archives.

Since its debut in 2004, The L Word has been a milestone of popular and queer culture. For six seasons, this iconic show broke barriers and brought on-screen visibility to the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community through the lives of a diverse group of women. Viewers followed the stories of beloved characters like Bette, Tina, Shane, Kit, and Alice, and their dynamic journeys with love, heartbreak, friendship, and triumph. Now, for the first time, Jennifer Beals invites you behind the scenes to witness the magic that took place during the making of this iconic show.

The L A Photographic Journal showcases more than 400 rarely seen, extraordinarily candid photographs taken by Jennifer Beals on the set and behind the scenes of The L Word. These exquisite photographs, offer an intimate look into every aspect of the show, highlighting the real friendships, emotions, and creativity that contributed to its massive success. Also featuring a foreword and reminiscences from Jennifer, cast commentary, and intriguing ephemera such as scripts, call sheets, notes between actors, and production memos, this extraordinary book is the definitive portrait of the life, the laughter, and the love that was The L Word.

PERFECT GIFT FOR FANS, NEW AND OLD: With more than 200 hundred pages of artistic images and its sleek hardcover casing, this is an ideal gift that every L Word fan needs in their hands

NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN CANDID MOMENTS: Examine unseen images that capture the incredible cast and crew in moments of laughter, focus, conversation, and celebration

INSIGHTS FROM YOUR FAVORITES: Enjoy quotes and reflections shared by the actresses and actors who played your favorite characters, that offer even more insight into what it was like bringing this revolutionary series to life

Genres: Nonfiction, Queer, LGBT, Lesbian, Art, Photography

224 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2025

About the author

Jennifer Sue Beals was born in Chicago on December 19, 1963 as the second child of Jeanne Anderson and Alfred Beals. Her mother, an Irish-Catholic retired elementary schoolteacher, still lives in Chicago. Her African-American father owned a grocery store on the South Side of Chicago where she spent the first decade of her childhood, near 82nd Street and Indiana Avenue. Her older brother Gregory, born in 1958, became a journalist after graduating from Yale and works for United Nations. Her younger brother Bobby, was born in 1964.
Jennifer’s father died in 1974 at the age of 61. Her brother Greg would later describe it as "a stroke induced by overwork”. After his passing, the family moved to the North Side of the city near Lincoln Park, where she attended the prestigious Francis W. Parker School. In 1981 her mother married nephrologist Edward Cohen.

She made her film debut in My Bodyguard (1980), before receiving critical acclaim for her role in Flashdance (1983), for which she won NAACP Image Award for Actress and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.

Beals appeared in several notable films including Devil in a Blue Dress (1995), The Last Days of Disco (1998), Roger Dodger (2002), The Book of Eli (2010), and Before I Fall (2017). On television, she starred as Bette Porter on the Showtime drama series The L Word (2004-2009) and later went on to star in the series The Chicago Code (2011), Proof (2015), and Taken (2017).

Reviews

[Althea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I miss The L Word so much!!! I love the cast and the show so much!!!

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a treat to read. I first watched The L Word in college a couple years after it had wrapped, and remember how critical the show was in shaping my acceptance of self and coming-out process. I’m forever grateful to the writers, producers, cast, and crew for creating a world I could see myself reflected in and helping me imagine more than I thought possible. Without The L Word, I don’t think I would have manifested this life that is filled with love and friendship. Thank you for sharing these special behind-the-scenes photos and reflections. ❤️

[Stacy Croushorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, filled with wonderful photos. Wish there had been more stories of what life was like during filming.

[Lidia Rodin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This show touched so many people, and is SO important even today. There is not a sapphic show that has done as well as The L Word.

This, for me, was such a nostalgic experience to look through and read. I really liked getting to see these “behind the scenes” as well as getting to know the cast a bit more.

Finishing this, it absolutely makes me want to go back and rewatch The L Word. Genuinely will never get over that show.

[Roxane · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who loved The L Word it was a real pleasure to see such candid photography from behind the scenes, alongside informal conversations between the various cast members. The book is organized by season, all from Bette Porter's perspective (yes yes I know that's not her government name buuuuut) and if you like The L Word, you will greatly enjoy this book.

[Becca Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75. obviously i love my lesbian history, and i love the l word. the photos were amazing and some of the reflections were interesting. but for how little words there are in this journal, there are so many grammatical mistakes that really took me out (words missing letters, missing periods, incorrect quotation marks, etc). idk who edited this but yikes.

[Hannah Kentridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I accidentally reviewed the wrong book so putting it here instead: sat and read the whole thing in a couple of hours, sooo nice this show meant so much to me!!!! need to rewatch
(p.s. the next day i found somewhere to rewatch the whole of the L word so thats my life now!!)

[Autumn Riehemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

My queen Mrs Beals that I got to meet, complimented my pearls, and gave us an autograph! What an honor to meet and read this & to be a part of this world in any way brings me happiness that I never felt in other ways :p

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book was beautiful from the photos to the stories. Fans of the show will absolutely love and my only regret is that it made me miss the show and loathe the ending even more.

[gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

long live lesbians

[猫 · Rating 4 out of 5]

i miss the l word.