Arts & Entertainment
‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ lesbian reboot scrapped by NBC
the Amazonian goddess was meant to be openly gay in the revival


(Screenshot courtesy of YouTube)
NBC has canceled plans for a “Xena: Warrior Princess” revival.
Javier Grillo-Marxuach was on board as the showrunner and had said Xena would be openly gay in the reboot. The series would also have a focus on her lesbian relationship with her friend, Gabrielle. Grillo-Marxuach, known for his work on “The 100,” left the show due to creative differences in April.
It was speculated Grillo-Marxuach parted ways with the show because his plans to explore a lesbian relationship between Xena and Gabrielle was rejected.
“There is no reason to bring back Xena if it is not there for the purpose of fully exploring a relationship that could only be shown subtextually in first-run syndication in the 1990s,” Grillo-Marxuach wrote in a Tumblr Q&A back in 2016. “It will also express my view of the world – which is only further informed by what is happening right now – and is not too difficult to know what that is if you do some digging.”
The series was abandoned and another showrunner never picked up the project.
NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke told The Hollywood Reporter there are no plans to revive the show at this time.
“Nothing is happening on that right now,” Salke says.“We looked at some material; we decided at that point that it didn’t warrant the reboot.”
However, Salke says “never say never” to a “Xena” revival in the future.
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.

The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.

The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.






The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)






















The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)

















