BET Networks' First Original Scripted Series "BEING MARY JANE" Starring Gabrielle Union Premieres On Tuesday, January 7, 2014 At 10 P.M. ET/PT

NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The highly anticipated follow up to the network's original hit movie "BEING MARY JANE" is drawing near.  "BEING MARY JANE" the SERIES makes its debut on BET Networks early next year on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 from 10-11 p.m. ET/PT.  Over 4 million viewers tuned into the movie premiere of "BEING MARY JANE"  in July 2013.  The movie served as a back-door pilot into the series, consisting of eight one-hour episodes that will air on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. on BET.

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The network's first one-hour scripted drama focuses on the life of successful cable news anchor, Mary Jane Paul (played by Gabrielle Union).  She seems to have it all; intelligence, drive, a beautiful home, a fancy sports car, and a lavish closet of designer shoes. Yet something is missing from her American Dream – a family of her own.   Throughout the series, audiences get to know Mary Jane more intimately as they watch her life progress.  As viewers experience her journey, the series will peel back the layers that uncover who she really is and the people that help define her – her family, colleagues, friends and lovers.

In the series premiere titled "Storm Advisory," Mary Jane is faced with difficult decisions both in her private life and her professional life.  Two of her past lovers, Andre (Omari Hardwick) and David (Stephen Bishop) battle for her attention, leaving her to wonder if either choice is the right one.  Meanwhile, changes are afoot at Mary Jane's cable network after an anchor is unceremoniously fired, leaving Mary Jane, Kara (Lisa Vidal) and Mark (Aaron Spears) all fearing the loss of their jobs.   Moral dilemmas ignite as Mary Jane is left to wonder – should she compromise her credibility in order to save her network?

Here is a sneak peek of the series premiere:
http://www.bet.com/video/being-mary-jane/2013/exclusives/a-quiet-storm.html

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"BEING MARY JANE" is created and executive produced by Mara Brock Akil (creator of GIRLFRIENDS and THE GAME; Writer of SPARKLE); executive produced and directed by Salim Akil (Executive Producer of SPARKLE; Director of JUMPING THE BROOM).  Union is accompanied by veteran actors Richard Roundtree and Margaret Avery and a stellar cast that includes Omari Hardwick, Lisa Vidal, Richard Brooks, Raven Goodwin, B.J. Britt, Aaron Spears, Latarsha Rose, Robinne Lee and Stephen Bishop. 

For video sneak peeks and first looks of "BEING MARY JANE" the series, visit the official page at BET.com/shows/being-mary-jane.html. Viewers can also find show updates on Facebook by liking the fan page at Facebook.com/BeingMaryJane. Also, join the conversation on Twitter by using hashtag #BeingMaryJane; follow the show for all updates & special surprises @BeingMaryJane. For more information about the show visit BET.com.

About BET Networks:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 98 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

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