DuVernay Speaks On Inclusivity and Queen Sugar at The PaleyFest LA
Photo Credit: Brian To for the Paley Center
The two-week string of top television panels and discussions, known as PaleyFest, is nearing its close. Before we bid adieu to these compelling discussions with our favorites, there are a few panels left. Saturday night brought the cast and producers of OWN Network’s Queen Sugar, a riveting series that has won the hearts of many, to the hot seat to discuss season 3 expectations.
The upcoming third season will focus on the “journey of fatherhood,” the series’ new showrunner Kat Candler said at PaleyFest. “I’m excited about just watching the complexities of that relationship unfold,” she said, then raised some laughs when she added, “I’m excited about some godfather s**t.”
Photo Credit: Brian To for the Paley Center
Queen Sugar has always given prominent and powerful roles to women and people of color, and we would expect nothing less as it is produced by Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay! DuVernay has been making pure magic and is a force to be reckoned with in terms of talent and shedding light to social issues that many shy away from.
Cast and creatives of Queen Sugar attend PaleyFest LA 2018 honoring Queen Sugar, presented by The Paley Center for Media, at the DOLBY THEATRE on March 24, 2018 in Hollywood, California. Photo Credit: Emily Kneeter for the Paley Center
This particular show explores the lives and relationships of three Louisiana siblings, and Candler is the third showrunner to join the entirely female-directed drama. Last season ended with the revelation that Ralph Angel, played by Kofi Siriboe, may not be the father of his son with Darla (Bianca Lawson) – a storyline that will be the primary focus of the upcoming season.
At one point during the panel, DuVernay praised Frances McDormand’s Oscar acceptance speech, in which she called for everyone to use their “inclusion rider”. “I was overjoyed to hear Frances say that,” DuVernay said. “She didn’t have to, and to utter those words on an international stage and to dig into those things that many of us have been working on for a while.”
Cast and creatives of Queen Sugar arrive at PaleyFest LA 2018 honoring Queen Sugar, presented by The Paley Center for Media, at the DOLBY THEATRE on March 24, 2018 in Hollywood, California. Photo Credit: Michael Bulbenko for the Paley Center
Queen Sugar is officially set to return with a two-night premiere of its third season, which will air Tuesday, May 29, and Wednesday, May 30 at 10 p.m. EST.
