Queen Sugar
Queen Sugar | |
---|---|
Genre | Drama |
Created by | Ava DuVernay |
Based on | Queen Sugar by Natalie Baszile |
Starring |
|
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 13 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Running time | 42 minutes |
Production companies | Warner Horizon Television Harpo Productions |
Original release | |
Network | Oprah Winfrey Network |
Release | September 6, 2016 – present |
Queen Sugar is an American drama television series, which was created, directed and executive produced by Ava DuVernay. Oprah Winfrey also serves as an executive producer. The series is based on the novel of the same name by Natalie Baszile.[1] The series airs on Oprah Winfrey Network and premiered on September 6, 2016.[1][2][3] On August 1, 2016, the series was renewed for a second season ahead of its television premiere.[4][5]
The series follows the life of three siblings: two sisters, Nova Bordelon (played by Rutina Wesley), a formidable journalist and activist from New Orleans, and Charley Bordelon (Dawn-Lyen Gardner), a modern woman, who, with her teenaged son Micah, leaves her upscale home in Los Angeles and moves to the heart of Louisiana to claim an inheritance from her recently departed father – an 800-acre sugarcane farm, and their brother Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe), a single father struggling with unemployment and an absentee, former drug addict mother of his child.
Production
Development
On February 2, 2015, it was announced that Oprah Winfrey Network has ordered Queen Sugar, a straight-to-series drama based on novel with same name by Natalie Baszile.[1][2][6][7] Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey, who worked on the 2014 film Selma, co-created the series, while DuVernay is set to write and direct Queen Sugar. The first season began film in February 2016.[8] The first season will have 13 episodes. DuVernay announced on January 27, 2016 in an interview that the series would feature an all-women directorial team.[9] On February 15, 2016, Neema Barnette joined the series as director and producer.[10] Award winning director Tina Mabry is a producer and will also direct two episodes, and Anthony Sparks,[11] an award winning TV writer and professor, is a supervising producer for the series.[12]
Casting
On January 13, 2016, it was announced that Rutina Wesley would play the leading role of Nova Bordelon.[13][14][15] Further casting was announced January 27, 2016. Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Kofi Siriboe, and Omar Dorsey, who co-starred in Selma, were all announced in leading roles.[16][17] On February 1, 2016, it was announced that Emmy Award-winner Glynn Turman will guest-star as Ernest Bordelon, the patriarch of the family who died in the first episode.[18] On February 16, 2016, it was announced that Tina Lifford, Dondre Whitfield, Timon Kyle Durrett and Nicholas L. Ashe were cast as series regulars.[19] On February 23, 2016, Bianca Lawson and Greg Vaughan joined the cast as regulars, while Henry G. Sanders joined in a recurring role. Meanwhile, Oprah Winfrey Network said that Oprah Winfrey, who earlier was announced as a recurring character, would not have an onscreen role.[20] On March 11, 2016, it was announced that Marycarmen Lopez also was cast as regular.[21]
Cast and characters
Regular cast
- Rutina Wesley as Nova Bordelon, the eldest Bordelon child, a journalist, activist and herbal healer
- Dawn-Lyen Gardner as Charlotte "Charley" Bordelon West, the middle Bordelon child - half sibling to Nova and Ralph Angel, a sports manager, mother of Micah and wife of Davis
- Kofi Siriboe as Ralph Angel Bordelon, the youngest Bordelon child, the face-forward brother of Bordelon sisters looking to better himself after recently being released from prison
- Tina Lifford as Violet Bordelon, Ernest's younger sister, mother figure to the Bordelon children and Hollywood's girlfriend
- Omar Dorsey as Hollingsworth "Hollywood" Desonier, Violet's much younger oil rig worker boyfriend and supporter of the Bordelon family
- Dondre Whitfield as Remy Newell, an irrigation specialist who was a friend and confidante to Ernest who soon becomes a helping hand to Ernest's children
- Bianca Lawson as Darla, a recovering drug addict who is Ralph Angel's ex-girlfriend and Blue's mother seeking to reconnect with them both
- Timon Kyle Durrett as Davis West, Charley's charismatic star basketball player husband, client and Micah's father who is currently involved in a sex scandal as series unfolds
- Greg Vaughan as Calvin, a married police officer and Nova's longtime secret lover
- Nicholas L. Ashe as Micah West, Charley's and Davis's teenage son
- Ethan Hutchison as Blue Bordelon, Ralph Angel's and Darla's 6-year-old son
- Marycarmen Lopez as Reyna Velez, Blue's elementary school teacher and possible love interest to Ralph Angel
Recurring cast
- Glynn Turman as Ernest Bordelon, the patriarch of the Bordelon family and older brother of Violet
- Henry G. Sanders as Prosper Denton, a lifelong friend to Ernest and fellow farmer
- True O'Brien as Stella, Micah's girlfriend[22]
- Issac White as Devonte "Too Sweet" Bonclair, a teen who after being falsely imprisoned becomes the main focus of Nova's current crusade on how the parish DA has been railroading African-Americans
Episodes
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "First Things First" | Ava DuVernay | Ava DuVernay | September 6, 2016 | 2.69[23] |
2 | 2 | "Evergreen" | Ava DuVernay | Tina Mabry | September 7, 2016 | 2.14[24] |
3 | 3 | "Thy Will Be Done" | Neema Barnette | Jason Wilborn | September 14, 2016 | 2.00[25] |
4 | 4 | "The Darker Sooner" | So Yong Kim | Kay Oyegun | September 21, 2016 | 1.52[26] |
5 | 5 | "By Any Chance" | Victoria Mahoney | Anthony Sparks | September 28, 2016 | 1.59[27] |
6 | 6 | "As Promised" | Unknown | Unknown | October 5, 2016 | 1.44[28] |
7 | 7 | "In No Uncertain Terms" | Neema Barnette | Denise Harkavy | October 12, 2016 | 1.68[29] |
8 | 8 | "Where With All" | Kat Candler | Tina Mabry | October 26, 2016 | 1.71[30] |
9 | 9 | "Next to Nothing" | Kat Candler | Unknown | November 2, 2016 | 1.69[31] |
10 | 10 | "So Far" | Salli Richardson Whitfield | Anthony Sparks | November 9, 2016 | 1.50[32] |
11 | 11 | "All Good" | Salli Richardson Whitfield | Unknown | November 16, 2016 | 1.64[33] |
12 | 12 | "Far Too Long" | Unknown | Unknown | November 23, 2016 | 1.50[34] |
13 | 13 | "Give Us This Day" | Unknown | Unknown | November 30, 2016 | 1.91[35] |
References
- ^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (February 2, 2015). "Oprah Winfrey To Co-Star In & Co-Create With 'Selma' Filmmaker Ava DuVernay 'Queen Sugar' OWN Drama Series". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
- ^ a b Jagernauth, Kevin (February 2, 2015). "Ava DuVernay Reteams With Oprah Winfrey For Drama Series". The Playlist. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
- ^ Petski, Denise (June 30, 2016). "Ava DuVernay & Oprah Winfrey's 'Queen Sugar' Gets Fall Premiere Date On OWN". Retrieved July 1, 2016.
- ^ Patten, Dominic (August 1, 2016). "Ava DuVernay-Directed 'Queen Sugar' Gets Season 2 Pickup From OWN – TCA". Retrieved August 2, 2016.
- ^ "OWN Gives 'Queen Sugar' an Early 16-Episode Second Season Renewal + A New Trailer". August 1, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
- ^ Levin, Gary (February 2, 2015). "Oprah, DuVernay creating new drama for OWN". USA Today. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
- ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (February 2, 2015). "Oprah Winfrey & Ava DuVernay Creating Original Drama Series For OWN". Variety. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
- ^ "5 Pieces of Must-Know Casting News". Backstage.com. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ Jao, Charline. "Ava DuVernay Says Queen Sugar Will Feature an All-Women Directorial Team". Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ Denise Petski. "Neema Barnette Joins OWN Drama Series 'Queen Sugar' As Director - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- ^ http://news.fullerton.edu/2016wi/Sparks-QueenSugar.aspx
- ^ "CSUF News Center - Assistant Professor Selected for Oprah Winfrey's New Series 'Queen Sugar'". Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 13, 2016). "Rutina Wesley To Star In OWN Drama Series 'Queen Sugar'". Deadline. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
- ^ Robinson, Will (January 13, 2016). "True Blood's Rutina Wesley joins new OWN drama from Oprah and Ava DuVernay". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
- ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (January 13, 2016). "'Queen Sugar' Casting: Rutina Wesley to Star in OWN Series, Based on Book". Variety. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
- ^ Petski, Denise. "'Queen Sugar': OWN Drama Series Casts Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Kofi Siriboe & Omar J. Dorsey In Lead Roles". Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ Tambay A. Obenson (January 27, 2016). "Omar J. Dorsey, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Kofi Siriboe Join 'Que - Shadow and Act". Shadow and Act. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ Laura Prudom. "Queen Sugar: Glynn Turman Cast in OWN Series from Ava DuVernay - Variety". Variety. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- ^ Denise Petski. "Tina Lifford, Dondré Whitfield Among Four Cast In 'Queen Sugar' - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- ^ Denise Petski. "'Queen Sugar' Adds Bianca Lawson, Greg Vaughan & Henry G. Sanders - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ^ Denise Petski. "Erik Stocklin Joins Colleen Ballinger-Evans In 'Haters Back Off' - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Bowe, Jillian (April 12, 2016). "True O'Brien Joins Former DAYS Co-Star on OWN's Queen Sugar". Daytime Confidential. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 8, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.6.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 8, 2016). "Updated with Broadcast: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.7.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 15, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.14.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 22, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.21.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 29, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.28.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 6, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.5.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 13, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.12.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 27, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.26.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 3, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.2.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 10, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.9.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 17, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.16.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 28, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.23.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (December 1, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.30.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
External links
- Queen Sugar at IMDb
- 2010s American television series
- 2016 American television series debuts
- American drama television series
- English-language television programming
- OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network original programs
- Television programs based on novels
- Television series by Harpo Productions
- Television series by Warner Horizon Television
- Television shows filmed in Louisiana
- Television shows set in Louisiana