When the trailer and key art dropped for the seventh and final season of “Queen Sugar” everyone had one question: Where’s Charley?!
Dawn-Lyen Gardner, who has starred as “Charley Bordelon” on the hit series from Ava DuVernay, is finally speaking out about her exit from the show.
She took to social media on Tuesday, hours before the Season 7 premiere to share a few heartfelt words about her experience on the show.
Dawn-Lyen never went into detail about why she left “Queen Sugar” in its final season, but she did express her love and appreciation for the cast and crew.
She wrote:
Though I did not participate in the making of the seventh and now final season of Queen Sugar, I will always cherish portraying the woman I’ve poured my heart into for six years, known to the world as Charley Bordelon — as well as the opportunity to work alongside so many incredible artists.
To my cast family: you are in my heart forever. To the writers, directors, crew, post and pre-production folks and so many more BTS: I remain grateful and honored to have built what we built together for the six seasons prior to now.
And to the beloved fans, the true lifeblood of the show: thank you for your love, your support, your tears, your laughter, your social media turn-up, and most of all, your willingness to see yourself — and love yourself — within Charley’s brilliance and complexity.
For me, it was always the goal that our audience be deepened and celebrated in her walk.
Looking forward to what the future holds and truly grateful to all of you who will join me for the ride!
Until then, signing off for now and sending love in all the ways… ??
See Dawn-Lyen Gardner’s original post below.
Charley Bordelon is a central character in the storyline of the series so I am interested to see how they will explain her absence or bring her character to a close.
The seventh and final season of “Queen Sugar” premieres tonight at 8/7c on OWN.
Will you be watching and will you miss Charley?
I hate to see a major character not complete a series. I always suspect the actress or actor is in conflict with the producers or someone in charge about money or their role. I loved this show and the acting has been exceptional. I hate to see it end. I’m 76 and a white woman and feel like my family is leaving.