User reviews

I would have rated it a 9, but what happened with season 6? Did the writers go missing? It feels forced and fake. The only storyline that's worth following is Violet and Hollywood. Luckily they're my favorite characters, but still, the season feels like they just phoned it in, like someone said, ok, what are the most generic stories in the news and we'll go with those. I really hope the final season redeems itself after such a dismal season. It would be such a shame for a great show, great characters, to end as they did. It's like everyone (except the actors) just gave up.

"Queen Sugar" examines the intricate dynamic of familial relationships, race, culture and heritage. If you're interested in another predictable array of characters and plot twists, then you will likely be disappointed. Should your soul require retouching, or should the transcendence of blackness be something you dare allow handle you, then Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey's collaboration is well worth your attention.

The highly praised director of 2014's "Selma" is yet breaking ground as one of the elite visionaries of our time. Equipped with a diverse crew under all-women directors, "Queen Sugar" takes you to the mountaintop with intimate aesthetics and actors whose commitments will leave you at the edge of your seat. You will also journey through the valley as siblings Nova, a natural healer, journalist and activist, sister Charley, a scholar, business manager and NBA wife, and their brother, the previously incarcerated single-father, Ralph Angel, are further bound in the wake of their father's failing health. This may sound a little like George Tillman Jr.'s 1997 film "Soul Food," and while the resemblance is uncanny, the setup is real. Unfortunate as it is, life tends to bring families together on few occasions—mainly weddings and funerals. It's painful, and beautiful. It's infuriating, and righteous. It's a feeling of undisputed connectedness that empties your belly and puts weight in your toes. And in the midst of America's current socio climate pervaded by the Black Lives Matter movement, rest assured that "Queen Sugar" is both aware and intentional. You will be moved and forced to confront some difficult scenarios should you choose to tune in. "Queen Sugar" is certainly more than entertainment, but make no mistake, it's still damn good TV. If that doesn't convince you, the opening scene of episode one featuring Nova played by Rutine Wesley ("True Blood") in little more than sweat and shadows to accompany her luscious locs and exquisitely defined sable physique should provide more motivation, if not #workoutgoals. And get ready to upgrade your playlist as neo-soul artist Meshell Ndegeocello's musical direction offers the perfect underlay to what already promises to be a phenomenal project.

The contemporary drama is adapted from a novel of the same name written by Natalie Baszile. Leading roles are portrayed by: Rutine Wesley (Nova), Dawn-Lyen Garner (Charley), and Kofi Siriboe (Ralph Angel).

I have already sent out a message to friends that this is a show to watch. If you missed the first 3 episodes, then spend some time binge watching them. You'll be glad that you did. I like it much better than "Greenleaf" which is also on the Oprah network. I give it 2 thumbs up!

The only "star" that I was familiar with on "Queen Sugar" is Dondre Whitfield from the old "Cosby Show'. He's all grown up and is quite handsome. I wasn't familiar with either of the two female leads, but they are really enjoyable to watch. I hope that white audiences will give this show a chance, but most intelligent African-Americans will enjoy and be proud of the terrific writing and directing.

When I first heard of the showings for this series, I was kind of skeptical to watch, since it was initially stated it would be a short series, so I recorded the first two so that I could make sense of it. I'm glad I decided to. The series is GREAT and quite believable. I can never wait until the next showing as it leaves you on the edge of your seat and waiting for the next. This, as with all great series, will be very upsetting to me once it ends. I totally love it am glad that OWN is there and Oprah allows the African American shows to be aired on her network and am sure that other networks will not even give it a second thought. The plot is very intriguing and edgy. The writer is brilliant and the cast are excellent actors/actresses and I love each one of them and everything they bring to the show. Other viewers whom rate as bad and just another black show are confused and of course they are entitles to their own opinion but I highly advise others to view for themselves before looking at other reviews and their negative opinions and decide to watch and get into it. Once again OWN, thanks for the excellent and mind-intriguing shows!!

Amazing cast. Superb acting and directing. I've not read the novel so I'm able to enjoy independent of how the story unfolded in that format. Slow build in season 1 but DAMN is it worth it! Stick with it. I watch a lot of shows but this is the one I live for. Gripping, real, gutsy, emotional & compelling. This story and these characters stick with you.

I have enjoyed this new series so far and plan to watch the remaining episodes because I'm now hooked. The new faces peeked my interest and did not disappoint in their delivery of the real life complicated humans that we are. I can relate to their perspectives on what is happening to them and I love the New Orleans agriculture background being included as its own character. Even actors I have seen before, like Dondre Whitfield and Tina Lifford, bring new dimensions to the type of characters they are playing so their acting evolution is noticeable. The eye candy of men/women on this show is drool worthy and certainly keeps me engaged with the story line. Hopefully this first series will inspire a continual story line for other seasons to come.

Sigh -- I really wished the writers would have stayed true to the characters instead of try to please the audience with the "who's popular and who's not" B.S. of television writing. The series started off strong, building well-liked yet seriously flawed characters that gave the show a backbone and grit that was refreshing to watch. But as the story played out, we start to see the writers MANIPULATE plots and MANIPULATE dialogue to suit their purposes. This character is popular, so let's give her overwritten scenes and keep her the center of the universe. Unrealistic and completely untrue to the characters, especially as we get into Season 4 when it becomes painfully obvious that Ava and her team idolize Nova, the character who seems to get away with murder yet walks away the victim, the fixer, the smartest person in the room. Really??! And Ralph Angel -- who, if the writers stood their ground and gave us something believable, would have grown emotionally by now, instead keeps pushing aside his own happiness, potentially with a beautiful, intelligent and supportive woman who could have given him the stability he wanted, instead plays the co-dependent schlup who keeps going back to a woman who has lied to him and manipulated her way back into his life. All because the viewers "like Darla" and want her to be with Ralph Angel. Never mind that it's unreal and makes no sense. Who wants sense? Let's keep infuriating the audience are rooting for these characters. Let's keep give them HUGE mountains to overcome -- because that's "drama." Yeah Right. I've studied screenwriting and I swear, this goes against the grain of genuine storytelling. I will say that I appreciate the acting for the most part (with one unfortunate exception -- Rutina. Completely fake with her one-tear shots.) but overall, the first 3 Seasons were good. I was just hoping -- for once -- that Ava and her writers would let go of themselves (and their alter egos) and let go of the viewers "favorite characters" lists and allow the story to Be. Allow the characters to grow. WRITERS, YOU'RE NOT HURTING ANYTHING BY MOVING THE STORY FORWARD. But instead, you choose to be repetitive and stuck. In Season 1, Charley struggles. By Season 4, Charley still struggles. Come on. So disappointing. I will not continue to watch...

I love this show. It's authentic. It draws you in these characters lives and keeps you there. I'm on the current season and I have yet to be disappointed

I love this show! Very heartwarming,great acting. I love the strength of each character. The aunt is an awesome, strong women, who holds the entire family together. Both sisters are awesome as well. Can't wait to see how the relationship between Charley and Remy unfolds! As well as Violet and Hollywood's relationship. This show definitely has my attention. I can hardly wait until the following week after watching current episode/s. I hope it's here to stay. Thanks Oprah! Although it's no surprise that everything you touch turns to gold. Wishing you much success on this and more to come! Keep it up! I'm staying tuned. Happy Holidays!

My gosh! Every season. Every episode is so complex and so relevant. This show draws you in and deals with issues that you can relate to in such a human way. I don't know how they do it but each season has been better than the last.

The writing is meaty. The actors are top notch. The issues being dealt with in the show are on trend. I swear each episode leaves me in tears. I love the fact the creator of the show employs a female director for each episode.

I am thankful for this enriching show.

This is the best effing show I've ever seen in my entire LIFE!! I love everything about it. EVERYTHING!!! The characters and acting take me through the full range of emotions. They are so relatable and understandable. Thank you to everyone that had any part in creating this genuine, emotional, & engaging experience. Thank you! Thank you! & From the bottom of my heart, Thank you...

I love watching strong families this is a new favorite. I can't wait for the next season! This show would get a lot of attention if it was advertised more. I am so glad to have found this gem.I will be looking for the cast in other shows in the future. It's really easy to relate to I found myself comparing the cast to members of my family. Real problems that keep you interested. Definitely binge a worthy show.

A friend recently recommended that I see this show. I must admit that I put it off on the basis that it comes from OWN which has a less than stellar reputation for producing quality programming. Additionally, I assumed that, considering the nature of the production, it would be - (sigh) - "predictable". Well, was I ever wrong to make that "assumption". Granted, I have only just watched the pilot, but MAN what a pilot! Outstanding. Not since "Six Feet Under" has there been an initial episode of a series which has been anywhere nearly this intriguing, enthralling, and - well - stunning. Very, very well done! I am most certainly looking forward to more. It is SUCH a pleasure to see Rutina Wesley on screen again: such an outstanding talent! Though perhaps the show may justifiably rate the 7.5/10 currently allotted to it by this site, please let me assure anyone who reads this, the pilot is unquestionably a 10/10 and WELL worth seeing.

Well the series is called Queen Sugar and I can but agree.

There are some series out there that are so very American, they don't really travel all that well and I'm sorry but for me, this is one of them.

Whilst the series is nicely constructed I found it at the same time rather "sugary". The humanity has been polished out of the characters, leaving rather flat glossy caricatures, that are simply not that believable. As a result its hard for me, at least, to invest in this series.

Perhaps this is a shame, as there may be an interesting story on offer, but until the US takes a leaf from productions from say, the UK, who really know how to craft down to earth, very real, believable human interest based drama's, I'll be keeping my distance.

Six out of ten from me as there is decent direction and some reasonable acting on offer.

Supposed Main basis of the story is of a black family trying to revive the family business of sugar cane farming after the father died however after 4 seasons more of the story is the racial inequalities of families living in the southern area of USA .

Sadly the story is told at such a slow pace that I am now on season 4 and hand on heart the story has progressed little. The main characters are well acted specially the young child named "Blue" for such a youngster his acting is superb!

The music in the series is mostly annoying and there are more than required deep conversations about nothing , Story wise it is missable but there are some good actors that deserve a better script however after 4 seasons I can't see it happening.

I have had to review my star rating down after watching the first 4 episodes of season 5 . Considering the world has and in some areas still going through COVID 19 the very last thing I expected was a show to concentrate the whole season on that very thing! I watch shows for escapism but for some reason the writers wether being lazy or thinking it would be current have up to now centralised completely on the pandemic with no continuity of story in fact they seem to have abandoned whatever story there was ! Pointless Not entertaining and in honesty some scenes were finger in mouth worthy!

This series is absolutely outstanding! It is a must see. The cast is simply amazing and excellently portrays the story of a strong and loving family, living through life's peaks and valleys.

I only watch this series because my girlfriend likes it. It's not a bad show at all, but it's also not a series that has really ever sucked me in. I find the character pretty interesting, and pretty likable, and the overall story arc is pretty good. There are some excellent moments, but there are far more pretty good ones.

The one exception is Darla. the recovering addict who blew up her life and is desperately trying to retrieve it. Bianca Lawson makes the character wonderfully touching and fragile, and when Queen Sugar focuses on her - which is rare - I find myself completely drawn in.

I haven't watched any of season 2 so far, but my girlfriends wants to watch it, so sooner or later we will. But I'm in no rush.

We loved this show for four series whoever wrote the fifth series is an idiot .

We watch it all the time and can't get enough. It is like you become part of the family and fight with them as it happens. Get em Ralph Angel !

I Love the bond that the Bordelon Family has had over all 7 seasons. Family always comes first and they showed us this throughout the show!!! We need another series like this and with some of the same actors/actresses. Nowadays shows are only on for 1-3 seasons, but this one lasted for seven!!! There was a lesson in every episode and so much Wisdom imparted on younger generations from the older cast members. I am excited that Ava Duvernay is encouraging women directors and producers to lead the charge into the next century of filming. I can't wait to see these actors in their next roles to Thanks Ava...