Ava DuVernay’s ‘Queen Sugar’ Renewed for 7th and Final Season at OWN

Production on Season 7 will begin in early 2022

Queen Sugar
OWN

“Queen Sugar” has been renewed for a seventh and final season at OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network), the cable channel and series creator Ava DuVernay revealed Tuesday.

Writing on Season 7 of the drama series about an African American family in the Deep South has already begun and production is scheduled to kick off early next year in New Orleans. The seventh and final season of “Queen Sugar” will debut in 2022.

News of the show’s impending conclusion comes just ahead of its Season 6 finale, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on OWN.

On Season 6 of “Queen Sugar,” “newlyweds Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) and Darla (Bianca Lawson) prepare to welcome a new baby while struggling to make financial ends meet,” per OWN. “Nova (Rutina Wesley) reaches her breaking point while continuing to expose police and political corruption, and finds unlikely support from a new neighbor, Dominic (McKinley Freeman). Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner) explores political opportunities on a national scale as she navigates reconnecting with ex-husband Davis West (Timon Kyle Durrett), while her son Micah (Nicholas Ashe) grapples with college life amid the lasting effects of PTSD and growing confusion over a relationship with his new fraternity brother (Marquis Rodriguez).”

The description continues: “The expansive cast also includes the family’s matriarch Aunt Violet (Tina Lifford), who finds herself keeping a secret from her family as her husband Hollywood Desonier (Omar J. Dorsey) opens a space for Black men to come together and talk about more than just surface level topics. Meanwhile, longtime family friend and local farmer Prosper Denton (Henry G. Sanders) has an altercation with cops that lands him in the hospital, spurring his daughter Billie (Tammy Townsend) to return home for the first time in 20 years, creating explosive tension among the Bordelon family as long-held resentments are brought to light.”

“Queen Sugar” has received much critical acclaim over its first six seasons and is well known for its inclusive initiative to hire an all-female directorial team, a decision made by DuVernay in Season 1, and a diverse crew. Since its debut in September 2016, 42 women have directed episodes of the show, 39 of whom made their television directorial debut on the series.

“To everything, there is a season. And my producing partner Paul Garnes and I have had seven gorgeous seasons making ‘Queen Sugar’ with a remarkable cast and crew, alongside our partners at OWN and Warner Bros. Television,” DuVernay said in a statement Tuesday. “To write and produce seven seasons of a modern drama centered on a Black family is a radical act in our industry and a triumph that has far exceeded every hope I held. Now I feel strongly that the story, which began as a sunrise of a suggestion from Oprah, is ready for its sunset as a dream fully realized. ‘Queen Sugar’ has been one of the true joys of my career and my gratitude is buoyant and boundless.”

OWN president president Tina Perry added: “‘Queen Sugar’ is a truly extraordinary series brought to life by Ava’s leadership, her brilliant creative team, and the incredible cast and crew. 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. ‘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.”

“Queen Sugar” is produced for OWN by DuVernay’s ARRAY Filmworks and Harpo Films in association with Warner Bros. Television. The series is based on the book by Natalie Baszile.

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