Queen Sugar is coming back for a fifth season, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced Thursday.
The news comes after the hit drama from Ava DuVernay wrapped up its fourth season this week.
“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,” DuVernay said in a statement. “It’s a real honor to create this work with Warner Horizon and OWN as their support is rock-solid and wonderful.”
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“Ava’s vision for ‘Queen Sugar’ is one of inspired storytelling, and her execution of that vision has given us a remarkable series that makes us so proud,” said Tina Perry, president, OWN. “Her leadership and creative spirit – including the commitment to exclusively hire female directors and establish an inclusive crew – is unprecedented.”
Added OWN chairman and CEO Oprah Winfrey, “Every character feels like family. Our own. I am excited to see what Ava has unfolding next for the Bordelons.”
Anthony Sparks is set to continue as showrunner and executive producer, when the series returns in 2020.
Queen Sugar is currently Wednesday night’s #1 original series across all of broadcast and cable for African-American women. It averaged nearly 1.7 million total viewers per episode and a 1.54 rating among women ages 25-54, up 2 percent over last year.
The series stars Rutina Wesley, Dawn-Lyen Gardner and Kofi Siriboe.
Queen Sugar is produced for OWN by Array Filmworks and Harpo Films in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television. The season four executive producers are Ava DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey, Paul Garnes and Anthony Sparks. The series is based on the book by Natalie Baszile.
