Mary J. Blige has signed a new deal with Lifetime to executive produce several new original movies — the first of which is set to debut 2025 as part of the network’s latest Voices of a Lifetime movie slate.
The first project the nine-time Grammy award-winning actress and singer has queued up is a TV film tentatively titled Family Affair, which is inspired by her 2001 hit that shares the same.
The film continues Kendra and Ben’s love story from Lifetime’s 2023 movies Mary J. Blige’s Real Love and Strength of a Woman. Mary J. Blige’s Family Affair (working title) starts production this month with Ajiona Alexus (BMF, Acrimony,13 Reasons Why) and Da’Vinchi (BMF) returning to reprise their roles as Kendra and Ben in the third installment of their story.
An official description of the film is below:
The love story of Kendra (Ajiona Alexus) and Ben (Da’Vinchi) began when 18-year-old Kendra set off on her own for the first time at an HBCU where she found herself falling hard for Ben. After discovering the meaning of “real love” and then leaving Ben behind to pursue her dreams Kendra becomes a successful photographer. When Ben unexpectedly comes back into her life, she is forced to a crisis point and must dig deep to find her “strength” and accept Ben’s love.
Executive producers Jordan Davis and John Davis of Davis Entertainment return to helm.
Blige also serves as an executive producer through her own production banner, Blue Butterfly along with Bruce Miller and Milana Edwards-Brooks as co-producers. The release of her 2023 films “Real Love” and “Strength of a Woman” captivated Lifetime viewers reaching more than 6.4 million total viewers, according to a press release.
Aside from Lifetime deals, Blige is keeping busy with music. The 53-year-old has a new album, Gratitude, releasing November 15. At the top of next year, Blige will be headed back on the road for her ‘For My Fans’ tour along with Ne-Yo and Mario.
“When it’s all said and done, it’s never all said and done, I owe my fans a gratitude I can’t put into words, so I put it into a show.”