The first extended trailer for OWN’s upcoming series Love Is __ has been released. The romantic drama is written and produced by the celebrated husband/wife duo Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, known for hit shows such as The Game, Being Mary Jane, Girlfriends, and Black Lightning.
Love Is __ takes place predominantly in 1990s Los Angeles, set against the backdrop of Black Hollywood. The romantic drama series follows Nuri (Michele Weaver) and Yasir (Will Catlett), a couple from seemingly different worlds, as they pursue their dreams while learning the art of following their heart.
Before the two meet, Nuri is an ambitious, career-driven woman who is struggling to create a name for herself as a sitcom staff writer, while maintaining multiple romantic flings. Meanwhile, Yasir is an aspiring writer/director who is entangled in a complex relationship with his on-off ex, Ruby (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing).
Told from the perspective of the couple’s present-day selves and inspired by Mara and Salim’s own romantic journey, the series makes commentary on the social issues and lively black culture of the 90s, reflecting on how everything unraveled in order to shape them into the power couple that they have become nearly two decades later. Ultimately, Love Is __ is an intimate examination of the ups, the downs, and the magic of falling in love and staying together.
Loretta Devine, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Tosin Morohunfola, Tim Reid, Tammy Townsend, and Michael King also star in the romantic series.
The Akils executive produced Love Is __ through their own Akil Productions, with Mara Brock Akil serving as showrunner. Catch the series premiere on OWN Tuesday, June 19.
Below, watch the extended trailer for Love Is __, along with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS97ZgK9mGU
