Queen Sugar

TV review by Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media
Queen Sugar Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Mature series deeply explores human relationships, family.

OWN Drama 2016
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Parents say

age 16+

Based on 4 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Queen Sugar addresses mature issues ranging from single parenthood and drug addiction to infidelity and rape. It contains strong moments of sexuality, including people in various stages of undress (but no nudity). Guns are sometimes visible, and occasional violent events, including a robbery, are shown. Details specific to Louisiana's African-American community, including the history of slavery, discrimination, and spiritualism, are occasionally discussed.

Community Reviews

Kimberly R.
Kimberly R. Adult
September 19, 2016
age 18+

Pulls on your heart strings

The show is about family ,strength and passion
1 person found this helpful.
Jacqueline J.
Jacqueline J. Adult
March 25, 2023
age 15+

Stop Bianca Lawson from crying so much!!!

I HATE the way Bianca Lawson is crying on almost every scene. I hate to see her scene come up. Tooooooo much tearing up, dam. I fast forward every time she shows up cause I know she's about to cry
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Based on the book by Natalie Baszile and co-executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, QUEEN SUGAR is a dramatic series about the estranged Bordelon siblings, who unexpectedly find themselves coming together in their fictitious hometown of Saint Josephine, Louisiana. After a family tragedy, activist and journalist Nova (Rutina Wesley); Charley (Dawn-Lyen Garner), the wife and manager of pro basketball star Davis West (Timon Kyle Durrett); and Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe), a young father who was recently released from prison, are looking for a way build up their father's (Glynn Turman) struggling sugarcane farm. Although they receive some guidance from their Aunt Violet (Tina Lifford), the three must find a way to strengthen their relationships with each other and manage the land while simultaneously coping with their own individual struggles.

Is It Any Good?

Queen Sugar is an engaging series that displays the complexity of human relationships through the story of a family working to hold on to their family's farming heritage. The well-crafted narratives capture their complicated and often flawed relationships and how these relationships affect the way they see their place in the world.

The all-female list of episode directors, starting with notable Selma filmmaker Ava DuVernay, uses the New Orleans backdrop to create a viewing experience that feels more like a film than a TV show. This, combined with the richness of the overall story, offers an entertainingly substantial viewing experience.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about adapting books into movies or TV series. What are some of the challenges that come with doing this? Can any book be adapted into something for the screen?

  • Families can talk about sibling relationships. Why are they sometimes complicated?

TV Details

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