Faith, Family & Finding Love: James and Charlease Hatchett Bring Heart to OWN’s ‘Somebody’s Son’ | EUR Video Exclusive

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

OWN’s newest dating series “Somebody’s Son” is flipping the traditional matchmaking script — and bringing mom along for the ride.

Premiering Saturday, April 12 at 9 PM ET/PT, the show follows three successful Black men in their search for lasting love, with one meaningful twist: their mothers are there to help guide them through every step of the journey. I sat down with one of the featured bachelors, James Hatchett, a 29-year-old cybersecurity engineer, and his powerhouse mom, Charlease Hatchett, a cancer survivor and entrepreneur, to talk about navigating love, life, and legacy–all in front of the cameras.

Love, But Make It Family-Style

For James, a self-described family-centric man, the idea of dating with his mom watching closely was a bit of a curveball, but ultimately, a welcome one.

“I would want my girlfriend to get along with my family,” James shared. “But the introduction will come at a later time. Not, you know, right when I meet them… but I thought it would be great to just get two birds with one stone, have my mom involved in the process.”

And involved she was. Charlease wasn’t just there for emotional support; she was actively talking with the women, gathering intel, and delivering morning debriefs with her son. “We would discuss things in the morning and, you know, have like a little roundtable huddle… She was able to bring things from their conversations that I might not have gotten on my own,” James said.

As for dating multiple women at once–and under one roof? “I’m not dating four women at one time in the same household,” James laughed. “That in itself was a curveball.”

A Mother’s Intuition

Charlease brings a wealth of wisdom, both personally and professionally. “Faith is a foundation in everything that we do,” she explained. “I’m a cancer survivor, 10 years cancer-free this May. When you face death, your lenses change on life.”

For Charlease, authenticity is everything. “I don’t like fake or foolery… I just need them to be themselves.” And that straight-shooting mentality made her both a tough evaluator and a loyal advocate for her son. “I don’t have time to navigate mess. I just want to know who you are.”

Watching James navigate the dating process wasn’t always easy, though. “It was difficult… especially in some of the conversations, I was like, ‘You know what? I don’t want to hear that right now,’” she admitted. But despite the cameras and high stakes, the experience was deeply genuine. “Everything that took place on our end is genuine. There’s no script.”

Balancing Logic and Heart

While James works in cybersecurity, a field grounded in logic and precision, he approaches relationships with emotional depth. “I’m an emotional person. I wear my emotions on my sleeve,” he said. “Yes, you have to have logic, but there’s that fine balance between emotion and what the feelings really are underneath.”

When it came to finding a connection, it was all about chemistry and comfort. “Do I enjoy spending that time with you? What is it feeling like? Is it an interview or a natural conversation?” he explained. “Those are the types of things I look for.”

Redefining the Dating Game

Dating in today’s world can feel like navigating a minefield of red flags and dead ends. For James, “Somebody’s Son” offered a rare opportunity to date with intention, and in a supportive, focused environment.

“They did a great job of getting women who were about their business,” he said. “So you can focus on the softer details, the intangibles.” And stepping out of the club scene helped him re-center what he’s truly looking for: genuine connection.

Despite the pressure of cameras and the public spotlight, James said, “Life is short. So you might as well just get what you can out of it.”

What They Hope You’ll Take Away

For Charlease, the takeaway is simple: authenticity and family matter. “I wanted to make sure that you can see genuine people, genuine faith, genuine love, genuine communication… We’re just down-to-earth people.”

And she reminds viewers of something important in modern dating: “You are marrying the family. Whoever it is that comes in, we all would have to blend and live in harmony.”

James hopes the show helps restore some faith in love. “There are genuine people out here looking for partnership and love,” he said. “Hopefully, people can see that there’s real intention behind it.”

And in case there’s any doubt about the kind of man James is, Charlease has the last word: “There are some good, decent Black men out here. I’m going to leave that.”

Watch my full conversation with James and Charlease via the clip below.

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