Abstract: Inhibitors of HCV replication of formula (I), the N-oxides, salts, and stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein each dashed line (represented by represents an optional double bond; X is N, CH and where X bears a double bond it is C; R1 is aryl or a saturated, a partially unsaturated or completely unsaturated 5 or 6 membered monocyclic or 9 to 12 membered bicyclic heterocyclic ring system wherein said ring system contains one nitrogen, and optionally one to three additional heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, and wherein the remaining ring members are carbon atoms; wherein said ring system may be optionally substituted on any carbon or nitrogen ring atom with one, two, three, or four substituents; L is a direct bond, —O—, —O—C1-4alkanediyl-, —O—C(?O)—, —O—C(?O)—NR4a— or —O—C(?O)—NR4aC1-4alkanediyl-; R2 is hydrogen, —OR5, —C(O)OR5, —C(?O)R6, —C(?O)NR4aR4b, —C(?O)NHR4c, —NR4aR4b, —NHR4c, —NR4aSOpNR4aR4b, —NR4aSOpR7, or B(OR5)2; R3 is hydrogen, and where X is C