Worry no more “Being Mary Jane” fans; the series is returning in early 2017, as star Gabrielle Union shared on Twitter recently.
Following the exit of creator and executive producer Mara Brock Akil, and executive producer and director Salim Akil (the couple inked an overall deal with Warner Bros TV, where they are now set up with 2 new projects in the works), the “revamped” production team now includes Will Packer (as executive producer), and “The Good Wife” co-executive producer Erica Shelton Kodish (serving as showrunner and executive produce as well) for the series’ upcoming 4th season.
Announced today, Michael Ealy (currently starring in ABC’s “Secrets & Lies,” has been cast in a lead role opposite Gabrielle Union, playing a character named Justin Talbot, May Jane’s news program’s new producer, who was also responsible for getting her fired from her previous job at CNN. He remains a problem for Mary Jane now that he’s her producer, as she works to counter his power plays.
With these 2 beautiful people playing opposite each other, I’d also guess that there may be some sexual tension between them, and there might even be a romantic interlude (or three) in there somewhere. Or maybe not… we’ll certainly see eventually.
In addition to ABC’s “Secrets & Lies,” Ealy will next be seen in the remake of “Jacob’s Ladder,” in which he stars (Will Packer is also a producer on that project, by the way).
Ealy is repped by UTA, Wendy Kirk and Matt Johnson at Ziffren Brittenham, and manager Darryl Taja at Epidemic.
The Akils will continue to receive an executive producer credit on the series, although they won’t necessarily have their stamp on it, as they’ll be busy creating new projects at WB.
Production on the new season is taking place in Atlanta, GA for an early 2017 premiere.
Gabrielle Union leads a cast of regulars that also included Richard Roundtree, Margaret Avery, Lisa Vidal, Richard Brooks, Raven Goodwin, B.J. Britt, Aaron D. Spears, Latarsha Rose and Stephen Bishop.
Source: Shadow & Act