Being Mary Jane

Mary Jane Paul is a one-woman-show: a successful TV news anchor, and an entirely self-sufficient powerhouse who remains devoted to a family that doesn't share her motivation. Intense drama and unforgettable moments unfold as Mary Jane juggles her life, her relationships, her work, and commitments to her family.

Being Mary Jane (2013-2017) is an American cable drama series created by Mara Brock Akil for BET. Gabrielle Union stars as Mary Jane Paul, a polished television news anchor who is a self-sufficient powerhouse devoted to a family that does not share her drive. Her world includes her sister Lisa Hudson played by Latarsha Rose, the on-again off-again romance with Andre Daniels played by Omari Hardwick, and her father Paul Patterson, Jr. played by B.J. Britt. The engine of the show is Mary Jane's effort to hold together her newsroom career, her love life and her relatives' constant demands, with each episode built from workplace pressure, personal confrontations and family crises. Across four seasons the story stays a continuing serialized arc rather than a case-of-the-week format. Set in contemporary Los Angeles, the show has an intimate, emotionally heavy register, with melodramatic and sometimes bleak moments sitting alongside warmth and humor. Fans of Scandal, Empire and Good Girls will find resonance in its focus on a determined woman balancing public success against private turmoil.

Audience reception is positive overall, with viewers drawn to Gabrielle Union's lead performance, though per-season ratings fall sharply after the first season.

• Scandalshared tones of melancholic family drama and career-focused female protagonist balancing work and relationships
• Empireshared emotionally intense serialized relationship drama with a strong female lead juggling personal and professional life
• Good Girlsshared focus on a determined career woman in media with family obligations and romantic entanglements

Created by

Mara Brock Akil

Release Date

2013-07-02

Episode runtime

60 min

Rating

7.6 / 10 (54)

What is Being Mary Jane about?

A successful TV news anchor juggles her career, romantic entanglements, and a family that depends on her.

What is Being Mary Jane like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Being Mary Jane as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Being Mary Jane violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Being Mary Jane.

What did critics think of Being Mary Jane?

Audience reception is positive overall, with viewers drawn to Gabrielle Union's lead performance, though per-season ratings fall sharply after the first season.

Which shows are like Being Mary Jane?

Shows with a similar feel include Scandal, Empire, and Good Girls.

How long is Being Mary Jane?

Being Mary Jane: 4 seasons, 51 episodes.

Is Being Mary Jane still running?

No, Being Mary Jane has ended.

Where can I watch Being Mary Jane?

In United States, Being Mary Jane streams on Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount Plus Apple TV channel, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.