Queen Sugar, the critically acclaimed drama from Ava DuVernay, has been granted a fifth season by the Oprah Winfrey Network. The TV series is based on Natalie Baszile’s novel of the same name surrounding a family who owns a sugarcane farm and mill in rural Louisiana.
The latest season has focused on the middle daughter of the Bordelons, Nova, whose journalism and activism careers have led to the publishing of her memoir, Blessing and Blood. Except what was supposed to be a milestone, Nova is instead blindsided by her family members upset about their representations in the book. The family argues they did not know their secrets would be on the pages, and Nova deals with the guilt of keeping the project largely a secret before its dramatic release.
“Every character feels like family. Our own. I am excited to see what Ava has unfolding next for the Bordelons,” said Oprah in a statement on the season renewal.
Ava, fresh off her Emmy nominations for When They See Us, says the support is “rock-solid and wonderful” from OWN and Warner Horizon.
“I’m thrilled to further explore the beauty, pain and triumph of this African-American family, with hopes that their story will continue to resonate with audiences who see themselves in the Bordelons,” she said in the statement.
Tina Perry, OWN’s president, says Queen Sugar‘s “inspired storytelling” has made the network “proud.”
“[Ava’s] leadership and creative spirit—including the commitment to exclusively hire female directors and establish an inclusive crew—is unprecedented and evident throughout each episode of this beautiful serie,” Tina said in the statement. “We are grateful to Ava and her entire team of talented writers, producers, cast and crew and look forward to another season.”
According to the network statement, Queen Sugar is currently Wednesday night’s top original series across broadcast and cable for African-American women and total viewers. Ava has also established a panel of female directors, many who’ve made a directorial debut on the series.