Charley Bordelon, portrayed by Dawn-Lyen Gardner, underwent significant changes in the final season of “Queen Sugar.” At the end of Season 6, Charley made the tough decision to reconcile with her estranged husband, Davis. This reconciliation led her to leave Louisiana behind and move back to Los Angeles, marking her departure from the main storylines of the show. As a result, Charley’s character is not a major part of the seventh and final season of “Queen Sugar.”
Charley’s Role in the Final Season of Queen Sugar
Charley’s story arc in the previous seasons of Queen Sugar was full of challenges and triumphs. She had to deal with her divorce from her cheating husband, Davis, who was a famous basketball player. She also had to cope with the racism and corruption in the local sugar industry, as well as the family drama with her siblings, Nova and Ralph Angel. Charley proved to be a strong and smart leader, who managed to turn the farm into a profitable business and even ran for mayor of St. Josephine Parish.
However, in the sixth season finale, Charley made a surprising decision that changed her fate. She accepted Davis’ proposal to remarry him and move back to Los Angeles with their son, Micah. This meant that she would leave behind the farm, her political career, and her new love interest, Romero. The final scene shows Charley saying goodbye to her family and boarding a plane with Davis and Micah.
Many fans wondered if this was the last time they would see Charley on the show, and the answer was yes and no. Charley was not featured in the trailer or the key art for the seventh and final season of Queen Sugar, which indicated that she would not be a main character anymore. However, she did appear in a few episodes across the season, mainly through phone calls and video chats with her family. She also returned to Louisiana for a brief visit in the series finale, where she reunited with her siblings and celebrated their achievements.
Speculation about Dawn Lyen-Gardner’s Departure
The news of Charley’s reduced role in the final season of Queen Sugar sparked a lot of speculation among fans and media outlets. Some wondered if Lyen-Gardner had a falling out with the show’s creator, Ava DuVernay, or if she wanted to pursue other projects. Others speculated that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the production and the availability of the cast members. Some even hoped that Charley’s departure was a temporary plot twist and that she would come back to the show in a big way.
Confirmation from the Show’s Star about Charley’s departure
However, none of these rumors were true. Lyen-Gardner herself confirmed that she did not participate in the making of the seventh season of Queen Sugar, and that her exit was not her choice. She posted a message on her Instagram account on September 6, 2022, the same day as the season premiere. She wrote:
Lyen-Gardner did not reveal the exact reason for her departure, but she hinted that it was not a mutual decision. She also thanked everyone involved in the show, especially the fans, for their support and appreciation. She expressed her love and gratitude for playing Charley and said that she was looking forward to the future.
The Controversy Surrounding Lyen-Gardner’s Exit
Lyen-Gardner’s exit from Queen Sugar caused a lot of controversy and disappointment among the fans and critics of the show. Many felt that Charley was an essential part of the show and that her absence would affect the quality and the message of the show. Some also felt that Charley’s character deserved a better ending and that her reconciliation with Davis was a betrayal of her growth and independence. Some even accused DuVernay of disrespecting Lyen-Gardner and the fans by writing her off the show without a proper explanation.
Fans’ Reactions to the News
The fans of Queen Sugar took to social media to express their feelings about Lyen-Gardner’s exit. Some of their reactions were:
- “I’m so sad and angry that Charley is not on Queen Sugar anymore. She was my favorite character and the reason I watched the show. How could they do this to her and to us?”
- “Queen Sugar without Charley is like a cake without frosting. It’s just not the same. She was the heart and soul of the show. I don’t understand why they had to ruin her story and take her away from us.”
- “I respect Dawn Lyen-Gardner’s decision to leave Queen Sugar, but I wish she had a better exit. Charley deserved more than to go back to her cheating husband and abandon her family and her dreams. She was such an inspiration to me and many other women.”
- “I’m still in shock that Charley is not on Queen Sugar anymore. She was such a complex and powerful character, and Dawn Lyen-Gardner played her so beautifully. I hope she knows how much we love and appreciate her work.”
Lyen-Gardner’s future projects
Despite leaving Queen Sugar, Lyen-Gardner has not given up on her acting career. She has already signed on for several new projects, both on screen and on stage. Some of her upcoming roles are:
- A lead role in the Netflix thriller series The Stranger, where she plays a woman who is stalked by a mysterious man who knows everything about her.
- A supporting role in the Amazon Prime drama series The Underground Railroad, where she plays a slave who escapes from a plantation and joins a secret network of abolitionists.
- A starring role in the Broadway musical Hamilton, where she plays the role of Angelica Schuyler, one of the sisters of Alexander Hamilton’s wife.
