Showtime plans a lesbian series

Showtime, which has garnered attention and some of its highest ratings with the gay-themed serial “Queer as Folk,” has ordered a dramatic program dealing with the lesbian community in Los Angeles, tentatively titled “Earthlings,” to premiere next summer.

Jennifer Beals (“Flashdance”), Pam Grier (“Jackie Brown”) and “24’s” Mia Kirshner are part of the ensemble cast.

Showtime’s parent company, Viacom, has been exploring the possibility of launching a gay cable network. Reruns of “Queer as Folk” (which will begin its third season next year) and the new series are both seen as potential programming for the new channel.

-- Brian Lowry