Being Mary Jane Courtesy of Guy D'Alema
Creator Mara Brock Akil recently signed a deal with WB, which would diminish her role on the drama if it goes to a fourth season.
Being Mary Jane wrapped its third season on BET this past Tuesday — and it continues to be a ratings force to be reckoned with at the cable network.
Prior to the finale, Being Mary Jane was averaging 2.54 million viewers for the network in live-plus-three day stats, a lift of 55 percent. Its 18-49 score has also been disproportionately strong. North of 1.3 million viewers in the key demo, it's had Top 5 status on cable behind juggernauts like The Walking Dead and American Horror Story: Hotel — but beating buzzy shows such as Fargo.
For it's entire three-season run, Being Mary Jane has also ranked as the No. 1 scripted cable series among black viewers in the 18-49 window. But the Gabrielle Union starrer, recently nominated for four NAACP Image Awards, has yet to be renewed for a fourth season.
It might seem curious when you consider the show's previous renewals all came early, but the time since the launch of Being Mary Jane has seen creator and showrunner Mara Brock Akil's profile skyrocket. Alongside husband (and frequent Being Mary Jane director) Salim Akil, the duo recently inked an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television — effectively ending their tenure at BET once the move is official in May 2016. If Being Mary Jane goes on, a new showrunner will have to be found, as Mara Brock Akil would shift into an executive consultant role.
At present, Being Mary Jane and Real Husbands of Hollywood are the lone scripted players on the network — the latter created by and starring comedy heavyweight Kevin Hart. But the network is making more moves in the space, while maintaining its fondness for reality. 2016 sees the launch of Brandy vehicle Zoë Ever After — a multi-camera sitcom that marks its biggest swing in the scripted space since Being Mary Jane and Real Husbands entered the scene in 2013.
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