“Queen Sugar’s” reign is coming to an end. Creator Ava DuVernay told Deadline that the OWN family drama will conclude next year with its seventh season. The Season 6 finale aired yesterday, November 16.
“As a storyteller, the bravest thing to do is know when you’re done,” DuVernay explained. “‘Queen Sugar’ being my first series where I’ve had to consider when I’m done, I’ve had to push myself to say, ‘Do you have anything more to say that needs to be said with these characters?’ And I’m so proud of what we’ve done and I’m proud that I’m brave enough to walk away.”
She continued, “It’s a radical act that it lasted this long, and it’s a testament to every single pair of hands that touched it and I am so proud of that.”
“Queen Sugar” debuted in 2016. Executive produced by Oprah Winfrey and based on Natalie Baszile’s novel, it’s the story of the intergenerational Bordelon family. After their father’s death in the first episode, adult siblings Nova (Rutina Wesley), Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner), and Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) reunite and decide to restore the family’s dormant sugar cane farm. DuVernay has been committed to showcasing women directors since the show’s inception; as such, women have helmed every single episode of the series.
Tina Lifford, Bianca Lawson, Amirah Vann, Nicholas L. Ashe, and Omar Dorsey are also among the ensemble cast. The show has won the African-American Film Critics Association’s prize for Best TV Drama three times, and has taken home NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series (DuVernay).
“’Queen Sugar’ is a truly extraordinary series brought to life by Ava’s leadership, her brilliant creative team, and the incredible cast and crew,” said OWN’s Tina Perry. “Our audience has seen themselves reflected with nuance and care through the story of the Bordelon family, including their triumphs and challenges, and most importantly, the love they have for each other through it all,” she added. “‘Queen Sugar’ has been an unparalleled success for OWN, garnering critical acclaim, awards recognition, and a loyal and dedicated audience. We are so grateful for Ava’s partnership and are looking forward to a fantastic final season.”
DuVernay’s other TV work includes creating and directing Exonerated Five miniseries “When They See Us” and co-creating “Colin in Black & White,” a series inspired by Colin Kaepernick’s youth. “Naomi,” a series adaptation of the DC Comics that DuVernay is co-writing and exec producing, will premiere January 11 on The CW.
“Selma” and “A Wrinkle in Time” are among DuVernay’s film credits. She made history as the first woman of color to helm a $100 million-plus live-action film with the latter. She received an Oscar nod and two Emmys for “13th,” her documentary linking mass incarceration to slavery.
