Dawn-Lyen Gardner, who plays Charley Bordelon on the hit OWN series“Queen Sugar,”explains why she isn’t returning for the final season. Find out why inside…
Before Season 7 of ”Queen Sugar” premiered on OWN this week, fans instantly noticed one of the show’s main characters was missing.
Dawn-Lyen Gardner, who plays Charley Bordelon, was notably missing from the trailer, and it was reported she would not be a series regular for the final season’s 13 episodes. In the first episode of the new season, that premiered this week, Charley was only seen via a FaceTime call during baby Tru’s christening ceremony.
At the end of Season 6, Charley reconciled with her estranged husband Davis, accepting his remarriage proposal, and made plans to move BACK to Los Angeles, leaving her beloved St. Josephine behind.
Ahead of the show’s Season 7 premiere, the fab actress took to social media to explain she “did not participate” in the final season, but she’s proud of what she built with the cast and crew over the last six seasons of the show.
”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,” she wrote.
”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…”
Her “Queen Sugar” co-stars hopped in her comments with love and support.
”We Love You @dawnlyen. You’ve helped make our @queensugarown journey such a Sweet Ride. You see what I did there…?,” Timon Kyle Durrett (who plays Davis) wrote.
”I LOVE YOU FOREVER,”Nicholas Ashe (who plays Micah) wrote.
”I love your big HEART. Blessings,”Tina Lifford (who plays Aunt Vi) wrote.
”Love you Dawn! You are the Queen!,”Omar J. Dorsey (who plays Hollywood) wrote.
Fans are still confused and isn't here for it.
”Huh?! How you gonna wrap the story without telling us what happens with Charley?! And I don’t mean no off screen weak a** story of how she just moved to Cali with Davis,” a YBF reader wrote.
”It’s giving Toni Child’s not being on the final season of Girlfriends. How Sway?,” another reader reacted.
We’re sad to see her go! Especially like this. What are your thoughts about Charley being mostly M.I.A. for the final season?
Missed our chats with "Queen Sugar" stars Omar Dorsey, Tina Lifford, Biana Lawson and Rutina Wesley about the final season? Catch up HERE and HERE.
Photo: Dawn's IG