CYBILL SHEPHERD & MARLEE MATLIN RETURN FOR THE L WORD��S FIFTH SEASON

Rose Rollins Reprises Her Controversial Role As a Soldier Returning to Iraq

More Love! More Longing! More Lust! SHOWTIME�s acclaimed provocative series THE L WORD� returns for a fifth season in January, 2008 with special guest star Cybill Shepherd and series regular Marlee Matlin back on board. In addition, series regular Rose Rollins returns as a U.S. soldier returning to Iraq, a follow-up to her award-winning, controversial �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� storyline Twelve new episodes are set to begin production this summer in Vancouver.

For the fifth season, Shepherd will reprise her role as �Phyllis Kroll,� Executive Vice Chancellor at a university who discovers her sexuality late in life, while Matlin returns as sculptor �Jodi Lerner,� who is engaged in a torrid affair with Bette (Jennifer Beals). Rose Rollins plays Iraq war veteran �Tasha,� whose war-themed storyline earned the series a Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) Award earlier this year.

THE L WORD� stars Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, Katherine Moennig, Laurel Holloman, Mia Kirshner, Daniela Sea and Pam Grier.

THE L WORD�, which premiered its fourth season on January 7th, is one of SHOWTIME�s most popular series, generating a large and loyal audience, as well as critical praise for its provocative, sexy storylines, the principal cast and for being a magnet for celebrated directors and guest stars. Premiering Sundays at 10 p.m. PT/ET with several multi-plays during the week and available on the ever-growing SHOWTIME ON DEMAND, the groundbreaking series follows a group of Los Angeles-based friends as they navigate careers, families, friendships, inner-struggles and romantic entanglements. Since its debut in January 2004, THE L WORD� has become part of American popular culture, spawning dedicated fan websites and blogs, along with ancillary products such as THE L WORD�-branded perfume, jewelry and books.

THE L WORD� is executive produced by Ilene Chaiken through her production company Little Chicken Inc. The series was created by Chaiken and Kathy Greenberg & Michele Abbott and is being distributed internationally by MGM International Television Distribution, Inc.