Ask actress Clementine Ford if she’s anything like her L Word character, Molly Kroll, and she replies, quick as a flash, ‘Well, we look alike and have the same mum.’
Because, as fans will know, Molly’s mother Phyllis is played by her real-life mum, controversial comic actress Cybill Shepherd. Devotees of the hit TV series will also know that Cybill joined the show’s cast before Clementine, but for the record her appointment wasn’t entirely nepotistic.
Of course, Shepherd had mentioned to director Ilene Chaiken that her actress daughter would be interested in a role. Chaiken was open to the idea, but the show’s producers were keen to do a local hire in Vancouver to save money. Then when Clementine sent a show-reel, they changed their minds, asking her up for a single episode in which she played Kroll’s straight-laced, heterosexual daughter. Six months later, when Ilene telephoned and asked if she’d mind playing a lesbian role, Clementine said she’d love to.

And here’s the thing. When we first met Molly, she disapproved fiercely of her mother’s new delight in lesbian lust. In Season Five, however, Molly showed she was no slouch herself when it came to lady loving, throwing herself into a steamy relationship with the show’s notorious Lothario, Shane.