OWN has ordered extra episodes of the megachurch drama “Greenleaf” and given an early Season 2 renewal to Ava DuVernay‘s “Queen Sugar,” the network announced Monday at the Television Critics’ Association’s summer press tour.
“When we saw the first cut from Ava we knew right away that we wanted a second season,” said Erik Logan, president of OWN, in a statement.
“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.”
The show, which will begin production in Louisiana and Los Angeles this month, chronicles the lives of the estranged Bordelon siblings — Nova (Rutina Wesley, “True Blood”); Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner, “Unforgettable”); and Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe, “Awkward”) — who come together after a family tragedy to run an ailing sugarcane farm in the Deep South.
The series is executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, DuVernay and Meliss
Megachurch drama “Greenleaf,” which was also renewed for Season 2 ahead of its series premiere, will have second season of 16 episodes, three more than it had in Season 1.
“Queen Sugar” premieres on Tuesday, Sept. 6, on OWN.