ROAD TO THE MEDIA AWARDS: Ilene Chaiken

The end has come for the women of The L Word. Showtime has announced it will renew one of its longest-running dramas for what will be its sixth and final season. Set in Los Angeles, the series follows a group of lesbian and bisexual women as they navigate romance, friendships, family and careers.

"The L Word has been a truly groundbreaking series, setting new standards for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender visibility on television through its portrayal of a unique and compelling group of women," says GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. "We applaud the cast and creative team for the sense of fun and drama that they bring every season in their depictions of both the day-to-day lives of LGBT people and the challenges and struggles faced by our community."

"It has been a privilege to do this series and tell these stories and have these characters in my life and to share them with the show's passionate fans," Ilene Chaiken, creator and executive producer of The L Word said in a statement. "I am thrilled that Showtime has given us this final opportunity to conclude this journey we have all taken together."

Chaiken is being honored at the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco on May 10 with the Davidson/Valentini Award, an honor given to an openly gay media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community.

Hot on the heels of Showtime's hit gay series Queer as Folk, the network debuted The L Word in 2004, making it primetime's first lesbian drama on television. It has garnered four GLAAD Media Award nominations and one win, for Outstanding Television Drama. Showtime has ordered eight final episodes, set to go into production in early summer for a 2009 premiere.

The Season Five finale airs March 23, 2008 at 9 PM ET/PT on Showtime.