Pictured: ย Mara Brock Akil creator of “Love Is_____.”
On Monday, June 11, OWN:ย Oprah Winfrey Network hosted a pink carpet pre-screening of โLOVE IS____, โ OWNโs new original 10-episode series premiering on Tuesday, June 19th, from award-winning producers and power couple Mara Brock Akil (โGirlfriends,โ Being Mary Jane,โ โThe Gameโ) and Salim Akil (โBlack Lightningโ).ย
The cast and creators of โLove is______โ including surprise guest, Oprah Winfrey, ย arrived at NeueHouse Hollywood, walked the carpet and fielded questions from press regarding their thoughts on ย what LOVE is.
Hereโs what โLady Oโ had to say about Black love and what โLOVE Is____โ means to her. ย
โWell, #1 We love so deeply, so powerfully and so strongly.ย When we love, we GO ALL IN. And from what Iโve seen thatโs been missing from Black love stories, is the level of complexity. You learn what it means to be disappointed, upset and angry without havingย to curse
someone out.ย You learn to build and gain trust because, thatโs whatโs real. And then, finding your way back to each other. You learn what real intimacy is, not just sex. Although my โGod, in scene 107 if you donโt have somebody, youโre going to want to get somebody that day. I think, the intimacy, the tenderness, the true affection, the real trust, and most important wanting you to be the best you can, that is what real love is. I want the best for you no matter what.ย People get to see it played out literally in a way that theyโll recognize.โ
Set primarily in 1990โs Los Angeles against the backdrop of Black Hollywood, โLove Is_____โ follows Nuri (Michele Weaver) and Yasir (Will Catlett), a couple from seemingly opposite worlds, as they chase their dreams and learn to follow their hearts. Told from the perspective of the coupleโs present-day selves, the romantic drama also revisits the social issues and vibrant black culture of that time reflecting on how it all aligned to shape the couple they have become nearly 20 years later — a power couple navigating a complex set of social codes while also balancing successful careers and a beautiful family. Drawing inspiration from creators Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akilโs own relationship journey, the series explores the highs, the lows, and the magic of falling (and staying) in love.ย Other cast members of the series include Loretta Devine as Rose, Kadeem Hardison as Norman Reynolds, Tyrone Marshall Brown, plays Yasirโs friend Sean, Yootha Wong Loi Sing as Ruby, Tammy Townsend as Carol and Tosin Morohungola as Keith.
Following the screening, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network hosted a rooftop reception, with food, 90’s music and with Oprah leading the celebratory toast to “LOVE IS______.”
Also to add, the soundtrack is amazing! ย Please visit Oprah.com for the list and to listen on your favorite music services beginning, June 12.ย Click here for a first listen to the official 90โs playlists from Oprah and Mara Brock Akil
โLOVE is____โย premieres on OWN Tuesday June 19th.
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