This September, OWN will debut the series premiere of “Queen Sugar,” a new family drama created by Oprah Winfrey and “Selma” director Ava DuVernay. Yesterday OWN announced that it has ordered a second season of the series prior to airing a single episode of it — a clear show of confidence in the quality of the project and its ability to generate an audience.
And “Queen Sugar” won’t just be back for a sophomore season — OWN has extended the length of its second installment. While the first season has 13 episodes, Season 2 will feature 16 episodes, The Hollywood Reporter writes.
“Queen Sugar” follows the Bordelon family in the aftermath of their patriarch’s sudden death, the future of their 800-acre Louisiana sugar cane farm uncertain. Three estranged adult siblings are reunited and drama ensues. Rutina Wesley (“True Blood”), Dawn-Lyen Gardner (“Heroes”), Kofi Siriboe (“Awkward), Tina Lifford (“Parenthood”), and Omar J. Dorsey (“Ray Donovan”) star.
“When we saw the first cut from Ava we knew right away that we wanted a second season,” said OWN president Erik Logan. “We think viewers are going to connect with the deeply layered characters and powerful story and are excited to be able to share with them Ava’s director’s cut on premiere night without interruption. We are proud to be a network that supports a filmmaker’s creative vision.”
“Queen Sugar” is based on Natalie Baszile’s 2014 novel of the same name. Every episode in the first season is directed by a woman. Ten-time Grammy nominee Meshell Ndegeocello provided the score.
The premiere of “Queen Sugar” will be a two-night event. Catch it on OWN September 6 and 7.
