A sequel to The L Word was confirmed to be in development by Showtime on July 11, 2017, with Marja-Lewis Ryan named as showrunner and executive producer in November 2017, while original creator Ilene Chaiken stayed on as executive producer.

After the series was canceled in March 2023 following low viewership, it was reported that a reboot of the original L Word series set in New York was in development with Ilene Chaiken attached, though Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey later said in July 2024 that they were unaware of any such project.

Sarah Shahi stated she would reprise her role as Carmen de la Pica Morales, but Showtime never officially confirmed her involvement and she ultimately did not appear in the series.

Pam Grier declined to return as Kit Porter due to scheduling conflicts with the ABC series Bless This Mess, so the character was written out as having died of a drug overdose.

Laurel Holloman's return as Tina Kennard was teased in promotion but not officially confirmed until the sixth episode, with her appearance revealed even before the opening credits.

Mark Berry took over the role of Marcus Allenwood in season 2, replacing Mark Gibson, who had portrayed the character in the original The L Word.

The series was filmed using recognizable Los Angeles locations such as the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, The Semi-Tropic, and the outdoor Silver Lake Reservoir.

Production on the second season was delayed for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic and did not actually begin until December 2020, despite an original expectation of a late-2020 premiere.

Rosie O'Donnell, cast as the first clearly butch character Carrie in season 2, was subjected to online abuse, fat-shaming and negative comparisons to Jennifer Beals by fans, which was widely condemned by critics.

Showrunner Marja-Lewis Ryan revealed she had been harassed with social media messages demanding she reunite Bette and Tina, and later recanted earlier statements about wanting to take their storyline in a different direction, admitting her true intention had always been to build toward their wedding.