Being Mary Jane is an American drama television series created by Mara Brock Akil and starring Gabrielle Union. It debuted January 7, 2014 on BET. The 90-minute-pilot for the series aired on July 2, 2013. The series follows the professional and personal life of successful TV news anchor Mary Jane Paul, who lives in Atlanta and New York City. The series concluded on April 23, 2019.
Being Mary Jane received positive reviews from critics. The series premiere drew more than four million viewers, debuting as BET's highest-rated show. On January 6, 2016, the series was renewed for a fourth season, which premiered on January 10, 2017. It was announced on October 11, 2017, that the series would end. A two-hour film finale was planned to air in 2018, but never came to fruition. On December 7, 2018, BET announced that the film finale date had been pushed back to air on April 16, 2019. On April 1, 2019, it was announced that the film finale date was pushed back a week later to April 23, 2019.
Series overview
Cast and characters
Main
Gabrielle Union as Pauletta ("Mary Jane Paul") Patterson: a successful TV news anchor for Satellite News Channel (SNC) who remains devoted to a family that does not share her motivation as she juggles her life, her relationships, her work, and commitments. In season four, Mary Jane leaves Atlanta after getting fired from SNC and moves to New York City to work at Great Day USA as a national news correspondent. She eventually works her way up to get back on the anchor chair. Lisa Vidal as Kara Lynch: the executive producer of Talk Back (Mary Jane's show) at SNC and Mary Jane's best friend. Margaret Avery as Helen Patterson: Mary Jane's overprotective mother, who is battling lupus. Latarsha Rose as Dr. Lisa Hudson (seasons 1–3): Mary Jane's best friend since elementary school, an OB/GYN. Aaron D. Spears as Mark Bradley (seasons 1–3): a co-anchor at the newsroom and the closeted gay friend of Mary Jane. Richard Brooks as Patrick Patterson: Mary Jane's older, less-motivated brother. B. J. Britt as Paul Patterson, Jr.: Mary Jane's responsible younger brother. Raven Goodwin as Niecy Patterson: Mary Jane's niece; Patrick Patterson's daughter, who is also a mother. Richard Roundtree as Paul Patterson, Sr.: Mary Jane's compassionate father. Omari Hardwick as Andre Daniels (season 1): Mary Jane's married love interest Stephen Bishop as David Paulk (recurring, season 1; main, seasons 2–3): Mary Jane's playboy love interest.
Recurring
Robinne Lee as Avery Daniels (season 1): Andre's wife, who learns of her husband's affair with Mary Jane. Tatom Pender as Tracy: Patrick's girlfriend and mother of their child. Brely Evans as Nichelle: Mary Jane's friend and publicist to the stars. Kelly Rutherford as Cynthia Phillips (seasons 1–2) Navia Robinson (seasons 1–2) and Madison Alsobrook (season 4) as D'Asia: Patrick and Tracy's daughter Ryan Homchick as Lance (seasons 1–3) Salli Richardson as Valerie (season 2) one of Mary Jane's friends who is a doctor. Gary Dourdan as Sheldon (season 2) Kyle Massey as Cameron (season 2) Niecy's ex and the father of their son Treyvion. Loretta Devine as Cece (season 3) Daniella Alonso as Marisol Esparza (season 3) Thomas Jones as Brandon (season 3) one of Mary Jane's lovers Paul Rolfes as Aaron Felty (seasons 3–4) one of the lead co-hosts on Good Day USA Rita Rucker as Chante (seasons 3–4) Michael Ealy as Justin Talbot (season 4) Mary Jane's colleague at Good Day USA and boyfriend and later husband Chiké Okonkwo as Lee Truitt (season 4) Mary Jane's ex-boyfriend Valarie Pettiford as Ronda Sales (season 4) one of the lead co-hosts on Good Day USA Ashton Holmes as Garrett (season 4) the executive producer of Good Day USA Julian Walker as Ty (season 4) Mary Jane's stylist Cesar Cipriano as Dante (season 4) Niecy's ex and father to their daughter Isbell Tian Richards as Jovan (season 4) a mentee to Patrick Nicholas Gonzalez as Orlando Lagos (season 4) Kara's fiancé