Actress Olga Sosnovska was brought on as Lena Kundera, to add conflict to Bianca and Maggie's relationship; the writers introduced Lena in December 2002, as a "sassy" bisexual from Poland, characterized as a temptress "in the mold of Juliette Binoche". Sosnovska was asked if she realized that by accepting this role she would be stepping into "so much" controversy. "I’m still coming to terms with this phenomenon of Lianca," she replied, "with the devotion that I’m shown as a couple on TV, and the whole concept of fans. The letters that I get are heart breaking. It’s horrible that even now in the 21st century many lesbians feel the need to hide. Not everyone is confident enough to face the world, and not everyone lives in a safe environment."