'L Word' killing off a major character

The Showtime drama's sixth season premiere starts with the death of Mia Kirshner's character

By by Frazier Moore (AP) Tuesday, Dec 2, 2008 11:12 PM

Mia Kirshner of 'The L Word

Credit: Mia Kirshner of 'The L Word

NEW YORK (AP) - Dead is the word when "The L Word" returns.

Showtime's drama about a circle of lesbian friends and lovers is going to kill off one of its major characters on the premiere of its sixth - and final - season.

The victim is Jenny Schecter, Showtime has disclosed. Jenny, a would-be writer and accomplished two-timer, has long been embraced by fans as the character they most love to hate.

The episode, which airs January 18, begins with a splash as Jenny's body is discovered in a swimming pool. Accident, or murder - and whodunit? Viewers will have to wait for those answers.

Meanwhile, she won't be absent from the show: The remainder of the season is heavy with flashbacks of Jenny (played by Mia Kirshner) in the swim with her enemies and pals.