OWN is reversing course on Love Is___, cancelling the relationship drama five months after announcing its renewal. The decision comes as EP Salim Akil faces a lawsuit from a woman claiming he abused her during an alleged 10-year affair.
“OWN has decided not to move forward with the second season of Love Is _ ,” the network said in a statement.
Per our sister site Variety, OWN execs felt that Love Is ___‘ central conceit — it was billed as being based on the real-life romance of Akil and his wife, fellow EP Mara Brock Akil — had been compromised by the allegations.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Television, the studio behind the series, has reportedly completed an internal inquiry that found no evidence of misconduct on Love Is ___ or The CW’s Black Lightning, the latter of which Salim Akil serves as showrunner.