OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today it has renewed for a second season its hit romantic drama series โLove Is___โ from award-winning producers Mara Brock Akil (โBeing Mary Jane,โ โThe Game,โ โGirlfriendsโ) and Salim Akil (โBlack Lightningโ). Theย Akils created and executive produced the series through their company Akil Productions, in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television.ย Brock Akil serves as the seriesโ showrunner, as well as director for the pilot and upcoming season finale episode (Tuesday, August 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT).
โLove Is___โ (Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT) premiered June 19 with 1.2 million viewers and a 1.2 W25-54 rating (L+3) and was the nightโs #2 telecast on all of television among African American women. The July 17 telecast achieved a series high across all key demos and total viewers with 1.4 million viewers and a 1.51 W25-54 rating. On average over its series run, โLove Is___โ ranks as the #1ย show on cable in its time period with W25-54.
โMara and Salim have brought their heart and soul to this passion project working with our friends at Warner Horizon Scripted Television and we couldnโt be more thrilled to renew the show for a second season,โ said Erik Logan, president, OWN. โThis series is an important part of OWNโs scripted programming lineup and to see the ratings grow as the Akilsโ love story unfolds each week is truly exciting.โ
About โLove Is___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.