YouTubeBeing Mary Jane is easy when you look like Gabrielle Union!
The gorgeous 40-year-old actress returns to TV Tuesday, July 2, when her new series Being Mary Jane premieres on BET in the form of a two-hour movie (you know, like Battlestar Galactica).
The show is a big deal for the network as it's their first original drama series and hails from the producers of BET's hit series The Game. But it seems like courting Union to join their lineup is an even bigger deal for BET as they boast "We Got Gabrielle" in a trailer for Being Mary Jane. Hey, can you blame 'em?!
Union, who is dating NBA star Dwayne Wade, plays the titular character, Mary Jane Paul, a successful TV anchor and a self-sufficient woman who remains devoted to her family, even if they don't share her ambition or motivation. BET is hoping women everywhere relate to Mary Jane as she juggles work, relationships and family.
Since she plays a TV host on the show, Union recently stopped by E! News and dished out some advice to hosts Giuliana Rancic and Jason Kennedy: "When in doubt smile!"
And though fans will get a taste of the series on Tuesday, Being Mary Jane won't return until January 2014 with an eight-episode run. "We actually already shot the first season," Union told us.
In a recent interview, Union revealed that she auditioned for the role of Olivia Pope on ABC's breakout hit Scandal, which Kerry Washington went on to land.
Even though she didn't get the part, Union says she drew inspiration from the fact that this kind of role was available to her. "I said to myself, 'Oh my God, these roles are out there. It showed me that you don't have to settle. Luckily, the success of her and the show bred more work. Just from the audition process, I knew that I couldn't go backward."
She continues, "I didn't get Scandal, but I got something better—which is my own show. It's all about building a legacy. This new opportunity is something I feel that can grow."
Being Mary Jane premieres Tuesday, July 2, at 10:30 p.m. on BET.