During the network’s portion of the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, BET announced today that it has picked up a fourth season of its hit series “Being Mary Jane,” starring Gabrielle Union.

The actress took center stage and announced the renewal news while Stephen Hill, president of programming, BET, was making his opening remarks to reporters. “We hope to come back bigger and better than ever. I believe it will be explosive,” said Union. “Can she [Jane] get a dog this year?” Production is set to begin this summer in Atlanta.

Following the story of news anchor Mary Jane Paul (Union) as she struggles to handle her personal and professional life, the third season finale of “Being Mary Jane” on December 15 received a 0.5 Live+SD rating in Adults 8-49. Episodes prior drew anywhere from a 0.6 to a 0.9 in the key sales demo, notes TV By The Numbers.

The season finale featured Jane’s cousin being accosted by a white police officer after being pulled over. The matter soon went viral within the storyline.

“Being Mary Jane” will enter its fourth season without creator and executive producer Mara Brock Akil (“The Game,” “Girlfriends”), who has signed a three-year development deal with Warner Bros. Television. She will remain a consultant on the show, however, reports Deadline.

Actors Richard Roundtree, Margaret Avery, Richard Brooks, Lisa Vidal, B.J. Britt, Aaron Spears (“The Bold and the Beautiful”), Latarsha Rose and Stephen Bishop also star.