BOSSIP Exclusive: Meet Gabrielle Union’s Swirly New Lover On “Being Mary Jane”

James Lee Taylor’s Character Helps Mary Jane Get Over Friend’s Suicide

This is the smoldering Brit hunk who’ll be helping a grieving Mary Jane Paul get back to her old self.

Actor and model James Lee Taylor will make his American TV debut Nov. 10 as Mary Jane’s first white boyfriend on the BET show. Taylor plays “Eddie” who helps the embattled newsreader come to terms with the death of her close friend Dr. Lisa Hudson.

“It’s quite an honor really,” Taylor told BOSSIP. “I’m not only white, I’m English. I couldn’t have wished for a better first gig. I’ve done some work I can be proud of.”

Since breaking into acting five years ago, the 30-year-old has worked in off-Broadway theater and has modeled for Nivea and Calvin Klein. He’ll appear in four of the season’s remaining five episodes, and admits viewers will see a lot of him and star Gabrielle Union in between the sheets.

“They like getting me naked at every opportunity,” Taylor joked.

Taylor said working with Union on set was a dream.

“She was just so welcoming and friendly,” he said. “Watching her work, she’s just so sharp.”

One of their first scenes together involved lots of smooches, and Taylor said he was surprised at the response Union gave him when he asked about technique.

“I said ‘Do I use my tongue when I kiss you?’” Taylor said. “She looked at me, kind of analyzed me with her eyes. Then she said ‘Surprise me.’”

Taylor said he hopes that the fans will get behind him as the rest of the season plays out, but in the meantime, he said he’s just glad to be on board.

“To be the first white guy to be her love interest,” he said, “it’s just a great starting point.”