Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images
The beloved Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil show Love Is has been dropped by OWN! Just a few weeks ago, news broke Salim was being sued for an alleged domestic violence dispute and breach of contract complaint by actress Amber Dixon Brenner. OWN, reportedly, canceled the show in response to these allegations.
In July, Erik Logan, president of OWN announced the second season: “Mara and Salim have brought their heart and soul to this passion project working with our friends at Warner Horizon Scripted Television and we couldn’t be more thrilled to renew the show for a second season.”
According to sources, pre-production on the second season had already begun, but the network believed the narrative would be compromised due to the allegations. The series was based on the real-life power couple, but according to Brenner, Love Is comes from the original screenplay she pitched to Salim in 2016.
Mara took to Instagram to express how sad she was that the show was ending and about how amazing of an experience she had working on this project:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrlWr46hLK9/
In addition to breach of contract, the director’s alleged ex-lover is suing him for the abuse she experienced during their relationship, in the form of slapping, strangling, and forced oral sex.
AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 10: Actor Salim Akil attends BuzzFeed Presents: IT’S LIT powered by The CW Black Lightning on March 10, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for BuzzFeed/The CW)
Through his attorney, the Black Lightning showrunner released a statement about Brenner’s claims: “These allegations are deeply upsetting – but they are also totally untrue. We will defend Salim to the fullest, against the false and offensive claims that a woman with whom he had a past relationship has included in multiple unsubstantiated lawsuits. Salim looks forward to clearing his name and to being able to focus on his work and his family.”
According to Deadline, the show ranked No. 1 on cable in its time period and averaged 1.2 million viewers. Love Is joins the list of other Black shows that recently got the boot, including Netflix’s Luke Cage and All About The Washingtons, and BET’s The Quad and Hit The Floor.
TELL US: Are you sad to see another Black show go?
Like TV One on Facebook and be sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
