Ava DuVernay is finally coming to TV, and we have a newly released trailer for “Queen Sugar” to tide us over until the drama premieres on OWN. The emotional spot kicks off with the event that reunites the Bordelon family — the funeral of the family’s patriarch. His sudden death leaves the Bordelons reeling, and the future of their 800-acre Louisiana sugar cane farm uncertain.
The series follows siblings Nova, Charlotte, and Ralph Angel. EW unveiled the trailer, and offered details about the characters. “Nova, played by ‘True Blood’s’ Rutina Wesley is the oldest sister, a healer and community activist charged with keeping the family together. Charlotte, played by Dawn-Lyen Gardner, is the cosmopolitan wife of a basketball superstar who returns home to seek solace with her family after scandal rocks her seemingly perfect world. Ralph Angel, played by … newcomer Kofi Siriboe (‘Awkward’) is the troubled younger brother, recently out of jail, looking for work while trying to do right by his young son.” They’re joined by Tina Lifford (“Parenthood”), who portrays “the defacto matriarch” Violet Bordelon, and Omar J. Dorsey (“Ray Donovan”), her younger boyfriend Hollywood Desonier.
The trailer is replete with drama, including details regarding Ralph Angel’s parole, a police department takedown piece by Nova, and a shocking revelation about Charlotte’s marriage. Despite all of the chaos, dysfunction, and heartbreak it’s clear that there’s a lot of love between the Bordelons. DuVernay told EW, “I don’t just cast for talent; I cast for spirit.” If the cast’s chemistry in the trailer is any indication, her approach was effective: as DuVernay observed, “They came together and created a family.”
We can’t wait to learn more about the Bordelons when “Queen Sugar” premieres on OWN September 6. The series was created by “Selma” director DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey and is based on Natalie Baszile’s 2014 novel of the same name. The first season is 13 episodes, and all of them are women-directed. It was recently announced that 10-time Grammy nominee Meshell Ndegeocello will score the series. Check out the heart-wrenching trailer below.
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