If you’re looking for a deeply emotional, visually rich, and culturally significant drama that explores family bonds, racial justice, and the complexities of land ownership in the American South, then “Queen Sugar” is a powerful and critically acclaimed series. Created by Ava DuVernay and executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, this show is a poetic and often challenging look at the lives of a contemporary Black family striving for legacy and liberation.
What is “Queen Sugar” about?
“Queen Sugar” centers on the estranged Bordelon siblings in rural St. Josephine Parish, Louisiana. Their lives are dramatically altered by the sudden death of their beloved patriarch, Ernest Bordelon. Ernest, a proud and determined man, unexpectedly leaves his 800-acre sugarcane farm to his three adult children, forcing them to confront their pasts, navigate their complicated relationships with each other, and decide the fate of their inherited land.
The three core siblings are:
- Nova Bordelon: The eldest. A formidable journalist, activist, and herbalist living in New Orleans. She is fiercely independent and committed to social justice, often stirring up controversy with her investigative work.
- Charley Bordelon West: The middle child. A savvy, sophisticated, and often tightly wound wife and manager of an NBA superstar, living an upscale life in Los Angeles. Her world is turned upside down not only by her father’s death but also by a scandal involving her husband, compelling her to move back to Louisiana with her teenage son, Micah, and take on the daunting task of managing the farm.
- Ralph Angel Bordelon: The youngest. A formerly incarcerated single father raising his young son, Blue. He is striving for redemption and to prove himself worthy of his father’s trust, but faces numerous challenges from his past and the systemic injustices of the present.
As the siblings attempt to honor their father’s legacy and run the struggling sugarcane farm—a rare symbol of Black land ownership in the Deep South—they confront a myriad of personal and societal obstacles. The series delves into universal themes of family, love, betrayal, and self-discovery, while also courageously tackling specific issues relevant to the African American experience, including racial injustice, the inequities of the criminal justice system, historical trauma, police brutality, and the challenges of economic empowerment.
“Queen Sugar” is celebrated for its authentic portrayal of Black Southern life, its stunning cinematography (often featuring all-female directors), and its lyrical, unhurried pace that allows for deep character development and emotional resonance.
**Why “Queen Sugar” is a compelling watch:
- Deeply Human Storytelling: The show excels at crafting complex, flawed, and incredibly relatable characters whose journeys are both inspiring and heartbreaking.
- Powerful Social Commentary: It weaves vital conversations about race, class, gender, and justice seamlessly into the narrative, providing insightful and often challenging perspectives.
- Authentic Cultural Representation: From the setting and dialogue to the exploration of traditions and struggles, the series offers a rich and nuanced portrayal of contemporary Black life in the American South.
- Visually Stunning: Directed by an almost exclusively female roster of directors, the show boasts beautiful cinematography that captures the essence of Louisiana and enhances the emotional depth of the story.
- Focus on Legacy and Land: The importance of the sugarcane farm as a symbol of Black wealth, heritage, and resilience forms a powerful core theme throughout the series.
- Strong Female Voices: Driven by the vision of Ava DuVernay and featuring powerful female characters, the show offers diverse and empowering representations of Black womanhood.
Where to Watch “Queen Sugar”:
“Queen Sugar” aired on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) and concluded its run after seven seasons.
All seven seasons are widely available to stream on:
- Hulu
- Philo
- Spectrum On Demand (often free with a Spectrum subscription)
You can also purchase individual episodes or full seasons on digital platforms such as:
- Amazon Prime Video
- Apple TV
- Google Play Movies & TV
- Fandango At Home (Vudu)
If you enjoyed “Queen Sugar,” you might also like:
- The Wire (Max): For a similarly sprawling and complex narrative that deeply explores systemic issues and their impact on a community, though focused on Baltimore and the drug trade.
- This Is Us (Hulu/Netflix): For a multi-generational family drama known for its emotional depth, exploration of personal struggles, and non-linear storytelling.
- David Makes Man (Max): Another OWN series executive produced by Tarell Alvin McCraney (“Moonlight”), exploring the life of a gifted young Black man from the projects of South Florida, dealing with identity and systemic challenges.
- All American (Netflix/CW): For a drama that explores class and social divides, with a focus on sports and navigating different worlds, particularly for a young Black man.
- Greenleaf (OWN/Netflix): Also from OWN, this drama delves into a powerful, wealthy Black family and their megachurch in Memphis, revealing hidden secrets and moral complexities.