Frequent “Queen Sugar” director Kat Candler is taking on another leadership role at the OWN family drama. Per Deadline, Candler will take over showrunning duties from Monica Macer beginning in Season 3. Macer herself succeeded Season 1 showrunner Melissa Carter. Like Macer and Carter, Candler’s tenure will see her collaborate closely with series co-creator/EP Ava DuVernay.
Candler has also signed on to exec produce Season 3 alongside DuVernay, co-creator Oprah Winfrey, and Paul Garnes. Previously, Candler has written and directed several shorts and the 2014 feature “Hellion.” She’s helmed two installments of “Being Mary Jane” and an episode of “12 Monkeys,” as well.
Director DeMane Davis (“Lift”)— who directed two episodes of Season 2 — will serve as producing director on “Queen Sugar’s” third season, the position Candler is vacating.
“Kat has an incredible eye and brings her beautifully nuanced artistry to our vision for the series,” DuVernay stated. “And DeMane Davis is a vibrant leader on set who I’m pleased to have join us in a new producerial role.” She continued, “I’m truly thrilled to work alongside these dynamic storytellers as we continue our ‘Queen Sugar’ journey together.”
All episodes of “Queen Sugar’s” first and second seasons have been directed by women. Cheryl Dunye (“Watermelon Woman”), Aurora Guerrero (“Mosquita y Mari”), Amanda Marsalis (“Echo Park”), Tanya Hamilton (“Night Catches Us”), Victoria Mahoney (“Yelling to the Sky”), So Yong Kim (“For Ellen”), and DuVernay herself are among the series’ helmers.
“Queen Sugar” stars Rutina Wesley, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, and Kofi Siriboe as siblings who attempt to revive the family sugar cane business after the death of their father. The Season 2 premiere netted series-high ratings among female viewers aged 25 to 54 — and its recent midseason premiere nabbed the largest audience since the second season’s initial bow.
New episodes of “Queen Sugar” air Wednesdays on OWN. Its third season will begin filming in 2018.