Gabrielle Union, BET Reach Settlement in ‘Being Mary Jane’ Lawsuit
Gabrielle Union and BET have reached a settlement in the breach of contract lawsuit filed by the "Being Mary Jane" star, TheWrap has learned.
"BET Networks is pleased to announce that they have reached an amicable agreement with Gabrielle Union and look forward to sharing the new season of 'Being Mary Jane' with its loyal fans beginning January 10, 2017," the network said in a statement on Tuesday.
In the lawsuit filed in October, Union claimed the network attempted to combine Seasons 4 and 5 of the drama into one 20-episode season as a ploy to shortchange her by extending the length of the season beyond the terms of her deal.
"It is outrageous that BET would treat one of its biggest stars in this manner after all she has done to support the network and contribute to its success," the complaint read.
Shortly after Union filed her own lawsuit, SAG-AFTRA announced that it was heading into arbitration with the network and the show's producer Breakdown Productions on behalf of the entire cast.
"Being Mary Jane" debuts its fourth season on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 9 p.m. ET/8c on BET.
Gabrielle Union reportedly settles lawsuit with BET over ‘Being Mary Jane’
Gabrielle Union will be back behind the news desk on “Being Mary Jane” after settling a multimillion-dollar lawsuit with BET.
The 44-year-old actress has reportedly reached a settlement after filing a lawsuit for breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation in October.
“BET Networks is pleased to announce that they have reached an amicable agreement with Gabrielle Union and look forward to sharing the new season of ‘Being Mary Jane’ with its loyal fans beginning January 10, 2017,” the network said in a statement to Deadline.
Union alleged that the “Being Mary Jane” producers promised seasons would never exceed 13 episodes, but jammed 20 shows into the fourth season.
She also claimed that BET was trying to “fradulently extend” the terms of her contract, which included a raise from $150,000 per episode to $165,000 in Season 5.
Union was reportedly seeking $3 million in damages and a promise that the network wouldn’t schedule more than 13 episodes, according to Deadline.
The actress’ rep did not immediately return a request for comment.
BET & Gabrielle Union Reach Settlement In ‘Being Mary Jane’ Lawsuit
The future is looking brighter for Being Mary Jane. Bet announced today that the two sides have reached a settlement in star Gabrielle Union’s multimillion-dollar breach of contract lawsuit against the network.
“BET Networks is pleased to announce that they have reached an amicable agreement with Gabrielle Union and look forward to sharing the new season of Being Mary Jane with its loyal fans beginning January 10, 2017,” the network said today in a statement provided to Deadline. No further details were revealed. Reps for Union did not respond to request for comment on the settlement.
The future of BET’s signature drama appeared to be in doubt after Union filed the lawsuit in October. Union had alleged BET and the show’s producers had reneged on an agreement to have a significant break between the 10-episode fourth and fifth seasons of the drama. According to Union’s camp, BET and Being Mary Jane producers threw that deal aside so production could run back-to-back and costs cut. Union was seeking general damages of at least $3 million and a declaration that BET could not seek more than 13 episodes for any season of Being Mary Jane. Series producer Breakdown Productions also was a defendant in the suit.
There is no word on how this deal will effect the action SAG-AFTRA has taken against BET over allegedly breaking the contract the union had with the net.
"BET Networks is pleased to announce that they have reached an amicable agreement with Gabrielle Union and look forward to sharing the new season of 'Being Mary Jane' with its loyal fans beginning January 10, 2017," the network said in a statement on Tuesday.
In the lawsuit filed in October, Union claimed the network attempted to combine Seasons 4 and 5 of the drama into one 20-episode season as a ploy to shortchange her by extending the length of the season beyond the terms of her deal.
"It is outrageous that BET would treat one of its biggest stars in this manner after all she has done to support the network and contribute to its success," the complaint read.
Shortly after Union filed her own lawsuit, SAG-AFTRA announced that it was heading into arbitration with the network and the show's producer Breakdown Productions on behalf of the entire cast.
"Being Mary Jane" debuts its fourth season on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 9 p.m. ET/8c on BET.
Gabrielle Union reportedly settles lawsuit with BET over ‘Being Mary Jane’
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| The actress claimed the “Being Mary Jane” producers were trying to jam 20 episodes into the fourth season of the show, despite promising no more than 13. (CHRIS PIZZELLO/CHRIS PIZZELLO/INVISION/AP) |
The 44-year-old actress has reportedly reached a settlement after filing a lawsuit for breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation in October.
“BET Networks is pleased to announce that they have reached an amicable agreement with Gabrielle Union and look forward to sharing the new season of ‘Being Mary Jane’ with its loyal fans beginning January 10, 2017,” the network said in a statement to Deadline.
Union alleged that the “Being Mary Jane” producers promised seasons would never exceed 13 episodes, but jammed 20 shows into the fourth season.
She also claimed that BET was trying to “fradulently extend” the terms of her contract, which included a raise from $150,000 per episode to $165,000 in Season 5.
Union was reportedly seeking $3 million in damages and a promise that the network wouldn’t schedule more than 13 episodes, according to Deadline.
The actress’ rep did not immediately return a request for comment.
BET & Gabrielle Union Reach Settlement In ‘Being Mary Jane’ Lawsuit
The future is looking brighter for Being Mary Jane. Bet announced today that the two sides have reached a settlement in star Gabrielle Union’s multimillion-dollar breach of contract lawsuit against the network.
“BET Networks is pleased to announce that they have reached an amicable agreement with Gabrielle Union and look forward to sharing the new season of Being Mary Jane with its loyal fans beginning January 10, 2017,” the network said today in a statement provided to Deadline. No further details were revealed. Reps for Union did not respond to request for comment on the settlement.
The future of BET’s signature drama appeared to be in doubt after Union filed the lawsuit in October. Union had alleged BET and the show’s producers had reneged on an agreement to have a significant break between the 10-episode fourth and fifth seasons of the drama. According to Union’s camp, BET and Being Mary Jane producers threw that deal aside so production could run back-to-back and costs cut. Union was seeking general damages of at least $3 million and a declaration that BET could not seek more than 13 episodes for any season of Being Mary Jane. Series producer Breakdown Productions also was a defendant in the suit.
There is no word on how this deal will effect the action SAG-AFTRA has taken against BET over allegedly breaking the contract the union had with the net.
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