Dawn-Lyen Gardner News

Angela Bassett won the Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Award last night at the NAACP Awards. This marked her 11th NAACP Award. Last night's award was in recognition of her role as Athena Grant on the FOX's  9-1-1. After receiving the award, Bassett spoke to Extra’s Rachel Lindsay. 

Today, the full list of nominees for the “53rd NAACP Image Awards” were announced. Nominees included Ariana DeBose, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Encanto, Cynthia Erivo, Audra McDonald, Respect, Taraji P. Henson, Tituss Burgess, Jennifer Hudson, Billy Porter, Denzel Washington, and more. Check out the full list of nominees now!

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today the acclaimed contemporary drama series “Queen Sugar,” created and executive produced by filmmaker Ava DuVernay (“When They See Us,” “Cherish the Day”), returns Tuesday, September 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on OWN.

Tony and Grammy award-winner Leslie Odom Jr. - Hamilton’s Aaron Burr - teamed up with RepresentUs.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today that production will resume in New Orleans for the fifth season of the critically acclaimed series “Queen Sugar” from creator Ava DuVernay.

The International Cinematographers Guild (ICG, IATSE Local 600) Publicists today announced winners of its 57th Annual ICG Publicists Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. JOKER (Warner Bros. Pictures) won the top honors for the Maxwell Weinberg Award for Motion Pictures Publicity Campaign, presented by Director Paul Feig (Ghostbusters). THE MANDALORIAN: Season 1 (Disney+) won the Maxwell Weinberg Award for Television Publicity Campaign, presented by actor Jason Lewis (Sex in the City). This year's luncheon, which traditionally occurs the week leading up to the Academy Awards®, was chaired by Tim Menke and co-chaired by Sheryl Main. More than 800 industry leaders attended, including guild members, Hollywood public relations and marketing executives, producers, studio and network executives, celebrities and press.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today it has renewed for a fifth season Ava DuVernay's critically acclaimed drama series “Queen Sugar” to air in 2020. Produced by Warner Horizon Scripted Television, “Queen Sugar” has been lauded for its powerful portrayal of an African-American family in the Deep South and for DuVernay's initiative since the series' inception to hire an inclusive crew and all-female directing team, many of whom were first time TV directors. Current season four showrunner Anthony Sparks returns for the fifth season. 

OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK unveiled today the new trailer and key art for its highly-anticipated season four return of 'Queen Sugar,' the critically acclaimed drama series from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay ('When They See Us,' '13th,' 'Selma'), executive producer Oprah Winfrey and Warner Horizon Scripted Television, which returns Wednesday, June 12 (9 p.m. ET/PT) on OWN.

IFC Center today announced an impressive and wide-ranging lineup for the third annual Split Screens Festival (www.splitscreensfestival.com) taking place Wednesday, May 29 through Monday, June 3, 2019, at the IFC Center in New York City. The festival consists of special events offering a variety of looks at history, identity and the mystery of existence itself, including panels on series that explore dystopian realities and alternate timelines, and screenings that transport us into any number of time periods and places, be it a late-1800s South Dakota town or the height of 1980s ballroom culture in New York City.

“Queen Sugar,” the critically acclaimed drama series from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay (“A Wrinkle in Time,” “13th,” “Selma”), executive producer Oprah Winfrey and Warner Horizon Scripted Television, returns for its fourth season on OWN Wednesday, June 12 (9 p.m. ET/PT). Continuing a creative initiative established in the show's first season, series creator/executive producer DuVernay has once again assembled an all-female directing team for the fourth consecutive season. Season 4 directors include Cheryl Dunye, who will also serve as producing director, in addition to Carmen Marrón, Numa Perrier, Heidi Saman, Bola Ogun and Tchaiko Omawale, all of whom will be making their television directorial debut, with additional names to be announced.

Make a joyful noise! Last night, January 8, Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway premiere of Choir Boy, written by Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney(Moonlight, The Brother/Sister Plays) and directed by Drama Desk Award nominee Trip Cullman, officially opened at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) presented $3.25 million at their annual Grants Banquet held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. The evening was hosted by William H. Macy. Talent who accepted grants on behalf of nonprofit organizations included Alfonso Cuaron, Alfre Woodard, Amber Heard, Ben Hardy, Billy Porter, Charlize Theron, Chris Messina, Christian Slater, Cody Fern, Connie Britton, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Fanning, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Jason Bateman, Jason Reitman, Jennifer Garner, Joey King, John Cho, John David Washington, Lena Waithe, MJ Rodriguez, Nia Long, Rami Malek, Regina King, and Steve Carell.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today it has renewed for a fourth season Ava DuVernay's critically acclaimed original drama series “Queen Sugar,” from Warner Horizon Scripted Television, ahead of the extended 90-minute season three finale airing Wednesday, August 22 (10-11:30 p.m. ET/PT).

'Queen Sugar,' the critically acclaimed OWN drama series from Academy award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay ('Wrinkle in Time,' '13th,' 'Selma'), executive producer Oprah Winfrey and Warner Horizon Scripted Television, announced today the remaining directors to complete the season three all-female directorial line-up to include first time television directors Nijla Mu'min, Christina Choe, Ayoka Chenzira and Rachel Raimist, along with the return of 'Queen Sugar' showrunner Kat Candler. These directors join the previously announced line-up including 'Queen Sugar' producing director DeMane Davis, Patricia Cardoso, Shaz Bennett, Maria Govan and Lauren Wolkstein. Continuing the creative initiative established in the show's first season by series creator and executive producer DuVernay to hire all female directorial teams, the series has employed 26 female directors to date. The series airs Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN.

“Queen Sugar,” the critically acclaimed OWN drama series from Academy award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay (“Wrinkle in Time,” “13th,” “Selma”), executive producer Oprah Winfrey and Warner Horizon Scripted Television, announced today the remaining directors to complete the season three all-female directorial line-up to include first time television directors Nijla Mu'min, Christina Choe, Ayoka Chenzira and Rachel Raimist, along with the return of “Queen Sugar” showrunner Kat Candler. These directors join the previously announced line-up including “Queen Sugar” producing director DeMane Davis, Patricia Cardoso, Shaz Bennett, Maria Govan and Lauren Wolkstein. Continuing the creative initiative established in the show's first season by series creator and executive producer DuVernay to hire all female directorial teams, the series has employed 26 female directors to date. The series airs Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN.

The season three premiere of OWN's popular drama series “Queen Sugar” (5/29/18) delivered 2.1 million viewers and ranked as Tuesday night's #1 cable telecast in OWN's key demographic of women 25-54 (L+3). The acclaimed drama from award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay and executive producer Oprah Winfrey was also the night's #1 telecast across all of broadcast and cable for African-American women.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand – and the magnetism of the channel. Winfrey provides leadership in original scripted and unscripted programming and attracts superstar talent to join her in primetime, building a global community of like-minded viewers and leading that community to connect on social media and beyond. OWN is a singular destination on cable. Depth with edge. Heart. Star power. Connection. And endless possibilities. OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications. The network debuted on January 1, 2011. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com. Access OWN anytime, anywhere on WatchOWN.tv or across mobile devices and connected TVs.

In the series' third season, the critically acclaimed drama series from Academy Award-nominated director Ava DuVernay and executive producer Oprah Winfrey, returns as the Bordelons find themselves continuing their fight to save their family farm and father's legacy as they navigate their own personal journeys. They soon find that their fight extends beyond their close-knit family, but also to the community. Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner) remains in the thick of the trials and tribulations in both her personal and professional life as she continues to battle the Landry family while also trying to ensure Micah's (Nicholas Ashe) safety and future. Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) is still reeling from learning from Darla (Bianca Lawson) that he might not be the biological father of his son, Blue (Ethan Hutchison), and attempts to push forward as the new cane season begins. A new and unexpected love in the form of an old friend comes into Nova's (Rutina Wesley) life and challenges her long-held notions of relationships while also offering her something she didn't think she could ever have.

Check out the new series and seasons coming to OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network this May!

Vulture today announced the lineup for Vulture Festival, a weekend of high-profile events bringing the entertainment site to life, celebrating the best of today's television, comedy, film, podcasts, and more. The pop-culture extravaganza, taking place May 19-20 at Milk Studios in New York City, includes panels, screenings, performances, and live podcast recordings. Additional events will be announced in the coming weeks.