EXCLUSIVE: Oprah and Ava DuVernay attempting 'something that's never been done before' with 'Queen Sugar'

What Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay Did with 'Queen Sugar' That's Never Been Done Before
What Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay Did with 'Queen Sugar' That's Never Been Done Before


ET was first to talk to Queen Sugar creators, Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay, at the show's special premiere.

The new drama follows two sisters, Nova Bordelon (Rutina Wesley) and Charley Bordelon (Dawn-Lyen Gardner), who reunite at their family's 800-acre Louisiana sugar cane farm after a family tragedy.

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The story behind the show's creation might be as intriguing as the script itself. In putting the project together, Winfrey and DuVernay assembled an all-female directorial team, including DuVernay, Neema Barnette, Kat Candler, Tina Mabry, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Tanya Hamilton, So Yong Kim and Victoria Mahoney.

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"Ava called me up and said, 'Look, I have this idea for inclusiveness. Let's do something that's never been done before,'" Winfrey told ET.

"That woman's voice and that point of view is something that I had to have," DuVernay explained. "We opened it up and hand-picked some brilliant directors to collaborate and the results are stunning."

While DuVernay is thrilled with the final product, the best part of the project might be her induction into Winfrey's squad.

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"Everyone knows of her warmth and her generosity through The Oprah Show," DuVernay said. "I feel like I get my own Oprah Show every time when I call her."

Queen Sugar debuts during a two-night premiere, Sept. 6 and 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN.

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