OWN’s ‘Family or Fiancé’ Offers Fresh Look at Real Issues Facing Couples Before Marriage

OWN’s new series “Family or Fiancé“ sheds much-needed light on the challenges many couples face in securing their parents’ approval of their spouse before marriage.

Hosted by relationship expert Tracy McMillian, the eight-episode series follows couples as they come together for three days under one house with their parents who disapprove of their decision to marry for various reason.

Over the course of three days, the families attempt to hash out their differences, with the help of McMillian, in hopes of moving forward with the wedding.

However, the visit doesn’t always result in a happy ending for the couples, who sometimes may call off the wedding due to their families’ objections.

One of the highlights of the show are the broad range of issues it addresses. In one recent episode, a couple – Keron and Ashley – addressed the issue of homophobia in Christian families as Keron’s mother disapproved of Ashley, who is bisexual, and her mother ,who was a lesbian. Such tension is an example of a real-life issue that may be occurring in many families.

In the most recent episode (aired on March 23), Falasha and Chris desperately seek his family’s blessing for his wedding. However, his ultra-traditional mother has him backed into a corner where he must choose between his mother or his fiancé.

McMillian, who is also an author and television writer, is the voice of reason on the show, offering the couples much-needed advice and actionable steps they can take to mend the issues they face.

However, at the end of the final day, it’s ultimately the couples’ decision whether to say I do or call it quits.

You can check out all the drama on “Family or Fiancé” each Saturday through April 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

Human Nature recently attended a Q&A and screening of “Family or Fiancé” at the OWN offices in LA. See video and photos from the event below.