Queen Sugar Season 2 Overview
Queen Sugar is an American drama television series created by Ava DuVernay that premiered on OWN in September 2016. Season 2 aired in 2018 and continued the story of the Bordelon siblings managing their late father's sugarcane farm in Louisiana. The season consisted of 13 episodes and maintained the series' focus on family, legacy, and agricultural business challenges. Forbes reported on the season finale's reception.
The series is filmed in real locations across Louisiana, with many scenes shot on actual sugarcane farms. Season 2 production utilized Louisiana's film tax incentive program, which has attracted numerous productions to the state. The show's commitment to authentic representation includes a predominantly Black cast and crew, a hallmark of DuVernay's production company ARRAY. The Wrap detailed the Louisiana filming locations used during production.
Cast and Character Developments
The core cast includes Rutina Wesley as Nova Bordelon, a journalist and activist returning to the family farm, and Dawn-Lyen Gardner as Charley Bordelon West, a Los Angeles businesswoman navigating the complexities of farming. Kofi Siriboe portrays Ralph Angel Bordelon, the eldest sibling struggling with personal and financial hardships. The Hollywood Reporter profiled the cast's preparation for their roles.
Season 2 introduced new characters and deepened existing storylines, including the expansion of the Bordelon family's sugar business operations. The season explored themes of racial equity in agriculture, with storylines addressing land ownership challenges faced by Black farmers. Charley's character arc focused on her efforts to modernize the farm and manage financial pressures, reflecting real-world issues in the agricultural industry.
Production and Industry Context
Queen Sugar is executive produced by Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey, with production handled by ARRAY and Harpo Films. The series is notable for its use of a female cinematographer for every episode, a practice initiated by DuVernay to promote gender diversity behind the camera. Season 2 continued this initiative, contributing to the show's recognition for technical and artistic excellence.
The sugarcane industry depicted in the series reflects Louisiana's real agricultural economy, which generates billions in annual revenue. The show has been praised for its accurate portrayal of farming challenges, including weather impacts, market fluctuations, and labor issues. NOLA.com covered the economic impact of the show's Louisiana production. SEC filings for related agricultural corporations provide context on industry financials.