The Three Day Television Event Joins a Stellar Lineup of Original
Programming on BET with the Premieres of "Being Mary Jane" Season 2 on
February 3 and "The BET Honors" 2015 on February 23
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
BET is celebrating Black History Month in a major way with the highly
anticipated return of the #1 new original drama series on all cable
among adults 18-49 and women 18-49, "Being Mary Jane," the epic
premiere of the miniseries "The Book of Negroes" and the
superstar "The BET Honors" 2015 lineup.
The hit original series "Being Mary Jane," starring Gabrielle
Union, is back bigger than ever with 12 one-hour episodes
beginning Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 10 PM ET/PT.
Created and executive produced by Mara Brock Akil, this season of
"Being Mary Jane" finds Mary Jane once again juggling more than she
can handle between family drama, bold career choices and a budding new
relationship - possibly involving a child of her own. Union is
accompanied by veteran actors Richard Roundtree and Margaret Avery and a
supporting cast that includes Lisa Vidal, Richard Brooks, Raven Goodwin,
B.J. Britt, Aaron D. Spears, Latarsha Rose and Stephen Bishop.
BET launches its first-ever event miniseries "The Book of Negroes,"
a six-part historical drama in the tradition of Roots based on
Lawrence Hill's award-winning, Oprah Winfrey-listed novel (known in the
United States as Someone Knows My Name). The highly anticipated
television event will run over the course of three consecutive
nights in two-hour installments starting Monday, February 16, 2015
at 8 PM ET/PT. "The Book of Negroes" depicts the extraordinary
life journey of Aminata Diallo (Aunjanue Ellis) - an indomitable African
woman who cuts a swath through a world that is predisposed to
underestimate her. Kidnapped by slave traders in West Africa and
subsequently enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata must navigate her way
through the American Revolution in New York, the isolated refuge of Nova
Scotia and the treacherous jungles of Sierra Leone before ultimately
securing her freedom in England at the dawn of the 19th century.
Produced by Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment,
Entertainment One (eOne) and Idelwild Films, the star-studded cast
features lead actress Aunjanue Ellis (Ray, The Help),
Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire, A Few Good Men),
Oscar and Emmy winner Louis Gossett Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman,
Roots, Boardwalk Empire), Lyriq Bent (Rookie Blue), Oscar
nominee Jane Alexander (The Cider House Rules), Ben Chaplin (The
Thin Red Line) and Allan Hawco (Republic of Doyle). "The
Book of Negroes" is executive produced by Damon D'Oliveira, Clement
Virgo, Carrie Stein and Margaret O'Brien.
Rounding out the star-studded month is the year's can't miss lineup for "The
BET Honors" 2015. Dedicated to celebrating black excellence,
this year's show will recognize the achievements of five spectacular
African Americans: Kanye West, Phylicia Rashad, Usher Raymond, Dr.
Johnnetta Betsch Cole and John W. Thompson. Hosted by Wayne Brady, "The
BET Honors" 2015 premieres on Monday, February 23, 2015 at 9PM
ET/PT.
For video sneak peeks and first looks visit the official pages at "Being
Mary Jane," "The
Book of Negroes" and "The
BET Honors" 2015. Also, join the conversation about the shows on
Twitter by using the hashtags: #BeingMaryJane, #BETHonors and
#BETBON; follow the shows for all updates and special surprises: @BeingMaryJane
and @BET.
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), 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 25- to
54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel
and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment
tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings
for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event
Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with
festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides
ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET
International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the
extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
"Being Mary Jane"
Sonia Koo, 310-481-3732
sonia.koo@bet.net
or
Danielle
Spigner-Davis, 212-205-3028
Danielle.Spigner@bet.net
or
"The
Book of Negroes"
Sheikina Liverpool, 212-205-3073
sheikina.liverpool@bet.net
or
Luis
Defrank, 212-205-3156
Luis.Defrank@bet.net
or
"The
BET Honors" 2015
Sheikina Liverpool, 212-205-3073
sheikina.liverpool@bet.net
or
Zabrina
Horton, 310-481-3737
zabrina.horton@bet.net
Source: BET Networks
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