Gabrielle Union, T.D. Jakes highlight new BET upfront slate

BET unveiled several upcoming projects during its upfront presentation, including new series featuring Gabrielle Union and T.D. Jakes.

Union will star in “Being Mary Jane,” about a successful TV news anchor juggling relationships, work and comittments to her family. The series is the first original project developed for the network by Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, the husband-and-wife team behind BET’s signature series “The Game” who have a deal with the network.

The cast of “Being Mary Jane,” which will premiere early next year, includes Omari Hardwick, Lisa Vidal, Richard Roundtree, Richard Brooks and Margaret Avery.

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The network also announced three other new series, including “Burns BBQ,” an unscripted series about the daily operation of a long-standing family-owned barbecue business; “T.D. Jakes Presents: Mind, Body & Soul,” a Sunday talk show hosted by the spiritual leader; and the return of “Comic View,” the stand-up comedy showcase that originated on BET.

Stars from other returning series -- including “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” “Bobby Jones Gospel,” “Let’s Stay Together” and “The Game” -- entertained the gathering at the Montage hotel in Beverly Hills. The fate of other BET series, including “Second Generation Wayans” and “Reed Between The Lines” remains uncertain.

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