 | This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (August 2021) |
| Bette Porter-Kennard | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | Pilot (episode 1.01) |
| Last appearance | Last Word (episode 6.08) |
| Created by | Ilene Chaiken |
| Portrayed by | Jennifer Beals |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | Former Director at the California Arts Center, Former Dean of School of Arts, California University, Co-Owner and Partner of Wentworth-Porter Art Gallery |
| Family | Spouse: Tina Kennard (Married) Lovers: Coleman, Alice Pieszecki, Candace Jewell, Nadia, Jodi Lerner, Felicity Adams, Gigi Ghorbani, Pippa Pascal Father: Melvin Porter Half-Sibling: Kit Porter Children: Angelica Porter-Kennard Nephew: David Waters |
Bette Porter is a fictional character on the Showtime television network series The L Word and its sequel The L Word: Generation Q, played by Jennifer Beals.
Though Beals's performance was met with wide acclaim, Bette's characterization, as well as her relationship with her partner, Tina Kennard, received a more mixed response, with both fans and critics debating whether Bette reinforces positive lesbian relationships or glorifies narcissistic personality disorder, and questioning if Bette's behavioral traits would have been considered acceptable or politically correct had it been a heterosexual man in her place.