Mary J. Blige has signed a new three-picture deal with Lifetime.
It’s an extension of her previous deal with the network in which she executive produced three original films inspired by her hits “Real Love,” “Strength of a Woman” and “Family Affair.”
The first movie under Blige’s new deal, Mary J. Blige Presents Be Happy, premieres Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime.
Oscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) directed the film, which was written by Cameron J. Moss. Tisha Campbell and Mekhi Phifer star alongside Russell Hornsby.
According to the official synopsis, “Mary J. Blige Presents Be Happy follows 50-year-old Val (Tisha Campbell, Operation Aunties, Act Your Age), a devoted wife and stay-at-home mom, who is eager to reignite the spark in her marriage when her youngest child leaves for college. Grappling with empty-nest feelings, loneliness and growing emotional distance from her husband Ross (Russell Hornsby, BMF, The Hate U Give), Val begins to realize that her marriage and the woman she once was, may be slipping away.”
It continues, “A spontaneous escape to New Orleans to support her pregnant daughter, Kayla (Zing Ashford, Sistas, Camp TV), awakens long-buried dreams and passions and introduces her to Peter Mosley (Mekhi Phifer, ER, 8 Mile), a handsome and charismatic photographer who sees her in ways she has forgotten to see herself. Reawakening her artistic spirit and rediscovering her worth, Val must face a life-altering question: is it ever too late to choose yourself and the love you truly deserve?”
Be Happy was produced by Blige’s Blue Butterfly Productions and Mona Scott-Young’s Monami Productions, in association with Motion Entertainment and Swirl Films.
Be Happy is titled after the lead single from Blige’s culture-shifting sophomore album, My Life (1994). It peaked at No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles and No. 29 on the Hot 100.
As indicated above, Be Happy follows the movie trilogy that began with 2023’s Mary J. Blige’s Real Love, followed by Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman and Mary J. Blige’s Family Affair (2025). All three films starred Ajiona Alexus and Da’Vinchi.
In fall 2025, Lifetime announced its two-picture deal with Toni Braxton, inspired by her hits “He Wasn’t Man Enough” and “Breathe Again.” Toni Braxton’s Breathe Again, starring Braxton, Essence Aktins and Cree Summer, premieres Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. ET.
