BET Taps a New Producing Powerhouse Led by Executive Producer Will Packer and Showrunner Erica Shelton Kodish to Run the Critically Acclaimed Series "BEING MARY JANE"

The Hit Drama Series Stars Gabrielle Union

LOS ANGELES -- BET taps a new producing powerhouse led by Executive Producer Will Packer and Showrunner Erica Shelton Kodish to run the critically acclaimed series "BEING MARY JANE." Will Packer will serve as Executive Producer and Erica Shelton Kodish will be the Showrunner, Executive Producer and Writer. Packer and Shelton Kodish join Gabrielle Union, Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil as Executive Producers and Co-Executive Producer Jeff Morrone. The series was created by Mara Brock Akil. BET, Will Packer Productions and Akil Productions will produce the fourth season of the series. Korin D. Huggins, Head of Television for Will Packer Productions, will oversee on behalf of Will Packer Productions. Production on the new season is set to begin in Atlanta, GA later this year.

"'Being Mary Jane' is full of characters and stories about which BET viewers are passionate. We knew it would take special talent to further this very important mission and we're lucky to have found them in this dynamic duo," says Stephen Hill, President of Programming, BET Networks. "Will's a master producer and storyteller and Erica is a dynamic writer whose experience in developing complex, multidimensional women makes her the ideal scribe to continue Mary Jane's journey. We look forward to sharing this next chapter of the series with our audience."

Packer, whose television credits include Executive Producer of the upcoming "Roots" miniseries and comedy series "Uncle Buck," has produced eight number one films - Ride Along 2, No Good Deed, Ride Along, Think Like A Man Too, Think Like A Man, Takers, Obsessed and Stomp The Yard. He was also an executive producer on the mega-hit Straight Outta Compton. "It's an amazing time to be involved in producing great television and this is the rare opportunity to work with Gab, who I think is one of the best actresses doing it today, whom I also consider family. BET is a tremendous partner and Erica has the perfect skill set to handle a show of this magnitude," says Packer. He is represented by Creative Artists Agency and Ziffren Brittenham.

Erica Shelton Kodish recently wrapped the final season of "The Good Wife" as co-executive producer. Her previous producing credits include "Covert Affairs," "Hawthorne," and "Cold Case." "I'm honored to have an opportunity to partner with Will Packer, Gabrielle Union, and BET to create stories for 'Being Mary Jane'," says Erica Shelton Kodish. "Mara Brock Akil has created a show that has a unique ability to address issues relevant to black women and I'm thrilled to be in a position to tell those stories." Shelton Kodish is represented by Creative Artists Agency, Helena Heyman at Industry Entertainment, and attorney Bruce Gellman.

"Jeff Morrone and I could not be any more thrilled to be once again teaming up with Packer, who continues to deliver us home runs," says Union. "Erica is the dream choice and we could not be more excited to start work on the upcoming season." Union is represented by Creative Artists Agency and Primary Wave.

"BEING MARY JANE" - Hailed as "spicy and explosive" by Essence Magazine and given an "A-" by Entertainment Weekly, "BEING MARY JANE" is a game changing smash hit drama. The third season earned a 2016 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in A Drama Series, and Gabrielle Union's critically acclaimed performance has shattered the Internet with non-stop chatter about Mary Jane's unbreakable spirit in the face of tragedy, extortion, and intimate relationships. Gabrielle Union returns for what promises to be an explosive Season 4 of the breakout original drama series. This never-predictable, always-engaging, one-hour drama delivers gasp-worthy realness every week. See what life and love have in store for Mary Jane in the tantalizing new season of "BEING MARY JANE."

For the latest news on "BEING MARY JANE," visit the official pages at BET.com/shows/beingmary-jane.html. Viewers can also find series updates on Facebook by liking the fan pages at Facebook: Facebook.com/BeingMaryJane. Also, join the conversation about the shows on Twitter by using hashtags: #BeingMaryJane; follow the show for all updates & special surprises: @BeingMaryJane. For more information and to download assets for the series, please visit BETPressroom.com.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: 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 90 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 African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET's growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.