Oprah Winfrey, Mara Brock Akil, and Salim Akil, the award-winning producers behind such hits as Being Mary Jane, The Game, and Girlfriends, have partnered together to create Love Is ___, a new original one-hour series for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.
The Akils will create and executive produce the series through their Akil Productions banner with Mara Brock Akil also serving as show runner. Drawing inspiration from their real-life relationship, the humorous drama tells the love story between a modern-day power couple.
Produced in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television, the series will premiere on OWN in 2018. The new series joins OWN’s growing lineup of top-rated scripted dramas including Queen Sugar, Greenleaf, The Haves and the Have Nots, and If Loving You is Wrong, which year-to-date comprise four of the top six original scripted series on ad-supported cable for women aged 25-54.
“I’ve dreamed of working with the Akils,” said Oprah Winfrey. “I’ve been a huge fan of their work since first viewing Girlfriends. They know just how to hit the cultural nerve to make you think and laugh at the same time.”
Between them, the Akils have written, produced and/or directed more than 350 episodes of prime time television series. Up next for The Akils and their Akil Productions banner is the highly anticipated upcoming Warner Bros. Television/DC drama series Black Lightning, for The CW, which they are executive producing, with Salim Akil taking the reins as show runner.
