Leisha Hailey to star in 'L Word' spinoff

Los Angeles -- U.S. actress and musician Leisha Hailey is set to reprise her role of Alice in the pilot for a spinoff of the TV drama "The L Word," Showtime announced Friday.

The pilot is slated to begin shooting in December. Ilene Chaiken, creator and executive producer of "The L Word," is to write and produce it, the cable network said.

"The L Word" is to premiere its sixth and final season in January 2009, "marking the end of an era chronicling the lives of these iconic characters that have played a pivotal role in changing cultural perceptions of lesbians and the transgender community on and off screen," Showtime said in a release.

"Since the series' inception, Hailey has played Alice -- a bubbly yet out-and-proud lesbian living in Los Angeles amongst a group of friends as they navigate careers, families, friendships, inner struggles and romantic entanglements."

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.