OWN'S ACCLAIMED DRAMA 'QUEEN SUGAR' FROM AVA DUVERNAY RETURNS WITH TWO-NIGHT MIDSEASON P

LOS ANGELES - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network's acclaimed original drama series, "Queen Sugar," from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay ("13th," "Selma"), executive producer Oprah Winfrey and Warner Horizon Scripted Television, returns with a two-night midseason premiere on Tuesday, October 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT (after a new episode of Tyler Perry's "If Loving You Is Wrong" at 9 p.m. ET/PT) and Wednesday, October 4 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The series regularly airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT. "Queen Sugar" chronicles the lives and loves of the Bordelon siblings in Louisiana, starring Rutina Wesley, Dawn-Lyen Gardner and Kofi Siriboe.

"Queen Sugar" debuted its second season on OWN (June 20) with its highest-rated episode ever in key adult and female demos. Year to date, "Queen Sugar" is one of the Top 5 original scripted series on ad-supported cable in W25-54 in Live+3. It isWednesday night's #2 original scripted cable series for W25-54 and one of the Top 4 original scripted cable series for African-American women and total viewers. The series is averaging over 2.3 million total viewers in Live+3 and is consistently one of the most talked-about shows on social media.

Viewers can catch up on the show's complete first season currently available for streaming on Hulu, with season two available on the Watch OWN App and WatchOWN.tv. For photography and additional show information please visit Queen Sugar or http://oprah.com/queensugar

In the upcoming episodes of the series, Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner, "Unforgettable") receives an unexpected visit from her mother (Sharon Lawrence, "NYPD Blue") and the two finally have a revealing heart-to-heart about Charley's upbringing. Darla (Bianca Lawson, "Rogue"), takes a huge step in mending her family estrangement by reaching out to share the news of her engagement to Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe, "Girls Trip"). Meanwhile, Aunt Violet's (Tina Lifford, "Parenthood") condition worsens, and Micah (Nicholas L. Ashe, "Are We There Yet?) finally comes to terms with his emotions surrounding his traumatic encounter with a police officer. Plus, Nova's (Rutina Wesley, "True Blood") Zika story causes great concern in the community.

The expansive cast also includes Omar J. Dorsey ("Ray Donovan," "Selma") as Violet's devoted boyfriend Hollywood Desonier; Dondré T. Whitfield ("Mistresses") as trusted Bordelon family friend Remy Newell; Timon Kyle Durrett ("Single Ladies") as Davis West, Charley's estranged husband who is also a pro basketball player; and Ethan Hutchison ("The Path") as Ralph Angel's son, Blue. Additionally,Henry G. Sanders ("Rocky Balboa") recurs as Prosper Denton, a farmer and longtime friend of the late Bordelon family patriarch, Ernest, and Alimi Ballard ("The Catch," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") portrays Dr. Robert Dubois, an epidemiologist who makes a lasting impression on Nova. Margot Bingham("Boardwalk Empire") will play Tamar Judith, a cool and confident pop singer who crosses paths with Davis. Michael Michele ("ER," "Kevin Hill") and Roger Guenveur Smith ("A Huey P. Newton Story," "Do the Right Thing") will play Darla's (Bianca Lawson) estranged parents, and Beverly Todd ("I Will Follow," "The Bucket List") plays Mother Olivia Brown, a much beloved and respected matriarchal activist residing in the 9th Ward.

DuVernay's handpicked all-female directing team for season two includes: Garrett Bradley ("Alone"), Kat Candler ("12 Monkeys"), Julie Dash ("Daughters of the Dust"), DeMane Davis ("Lift"), Cheryl Dunye ("Stranger Inside"), Aurora Guerrero ("Mosquita y Mari,"), Amanda Marsalis ("Echo Park"), Maryam Keshavar ("Circumstance"), Liesl Tommy ("Eclipsed") and Christina Voros ("The Ladies," "The Director").

About "Queen Sugar"

In the contemporary drama "Queen Sugar," the Bordelon siblings struggle to move forward with their lives as they strive to honor the legacy of their father following his unexpected passing. Charley relocates to Saint Josephine, Louisiana, to help run the family business. As the only black female sugarcane mill owner, she must fight to regain her independence while rebuilding her relationships with her estranged siblings. Ralph Angel struggles to transform from a formerly incarcerated single father to a landowner in the eyes of his family as he works to restore his relationship with his son's mother. Nova finds herself torn between her activism and her desire to be loved. Together, they must learn to rely on one another as they navigate their tenuous bonds as family.

"Queen Sugar" is produced for OWN by Warner Horizon Scripted Television. The executive producers are Ava DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey and Monica Macer. The series is based on the book by Natalie Baszile.

The series' debut season won an NAACP Image Award for Best Drama Series, Television Show of the Year from both ABFF and AAFCA, and was a People's Choice Awards nominee for Favorite Cable Drama.