Debapriya Bhattacharya
Directed by Bobby Yan, Lifetime’s ‘Sugar Mama’ follows young college student Mike Sheppard, who decides to get a sugar mama to finance the lifestyle of him and his girlfriend, Gia. Browsing through an app, the couple finds a match with successful businesswoman Veronica King. While out on a date, Mike denies having a girlfriend and tells Veronica that he needs her support to finish her studies. The two engage in the relationship, but he soon discovers she is unlike any regular “sugar mama.”
While she presents him with luxuries, including a new car, the companionship that she expects from him is not sexual in nature. Veronica comes across literally as a mother, tucking Mike in bed and obsessively following up on his movements. She hits him when he attempts to make advances at her, and the dynamic makes Mike and Gia worried about her true intentions. Mike stepping out of the modest apartment that he shares with Gia and into the mansion owned by Veronica highlights the narrative shift of the character getting in way over his head in the thriller film.
Where Was Sugar Mama Filmed?
‘Sugar Mama’ was primarily shot in Atlanta, the capital city of Georgia. According to reports, principal photography for the Lifetime production took place in the months of April and May 2024. The lives of the characters get grounded in reality by the bustling, modern, and urban setting of the Peach State. The locales also accentuate the situations of the individual characters in the story with respect to each other.
Atlanta, Georgia
The city of Atlanta in Georgia’s Fulton County served as the shooting destination for ‘Sugar Mama.’ The sequences were lensed in different locations across the city. In addition to the indoor settings, the production team lensed the streets and the suburbs of Atlanta, thus establishing the story firmly in the real-life setting. The different socio-economic backgrounds of the young, struggling college student Mike Sheppard and the middle-aged businesswoman Veronica King are highlighted by the respective neighborhoods that stood in for their locality in the movie. Atlanta is also known as the home of several large studio complexes, such as Tyler Perry Studios, Shadowbox Studios, Trilith Studios, and Assembly Studios. It has a rich history of movie and television show productions, and over the years, it has been the backdrop for projects such as ‘Ozark,’ ‘The Staircase,’ ‘Pieces of Her,’ ‘Prisoners,’ ‘Straw,’ and ‘Game Night.’
Sugar Mama Cast Details
The ensemble cast of ‘Sugar Mama’ is led by Jibre Hordges, Latarsha Rose, and Liyah Chante Thompson. This is the first film that brings the actors together. While Jibre and Liyah hail from Georgia, Latarsha hails from New York City.
Jibre Hordges as Mike Sheppard
Jibre Hordges stars in ‘Sugar Mama’ as college student Mike Sheppard, who seeks out a sugar mama despite being in a relationship. The model and actor made his debut in the entertainment industry in 2015, and is known for starring as Jacob Hawthorne in ‘Beyond the Gates’ and Ray in ‘Grown-ish,’ as well as for his appearances in shows like ‘9-1-1’ and ‘The Resident.’ In films, Jibre plays Raymond in ‘Rhythm & Blood’ and Billy Kidman in ‘Tyson’s Run,’ among others.
Latarsha Rose as Veronica King
Latarsha Rose plays the role of Veronica King, the titular “Sugar Mama” in the series. Despite the connotation of the relationship, Veronica has different plans for Mike, which she reveals after they begin their relationship. A versatile actress, Latarsha is known for her work in films such as ‘The Hunger Games,’ playing Portia, and ‘Holly Day,’ playing Stephanie, as well as shows like ‘Being Mary Jane,’ playing Dr. Lisa Hudson, ‘Mayor of Kingstown,’ playing Vanessa, and ‘S.W.A.T.,’ playing Genise.
Liyah Chante Thompson as Gia
Mike Shepard’s actual girlfriend, Gia, is played by Liyah Chante Thompson in ‘Sugar Mama.’ Gia is cahoots with Mike as he engages in a sugar-parent relationship with rich businesswoman Veronica King, but soon becomes concerned for her well-being. Other movies and shows starring Liyah include ‘The Voicemail,’ where she plays Angela, and ‘All the Queen’s Men,’ ‘Skulker.’
The movie also features a stellar supporting cast, which includes Liyah Chante Thompson, Thiree Pinnock, Joseph Curtis Callender, Cat Borovicka, Karen Ceesay, Jason Coviello, Raquel Davies, Samina Engel, Cheryl Frazier, Rabon Hutcherson, Pierre V. Johnson, Pierre Jones, Julie Kendall, Sparkle Lindsey, Angela Ray, and Chasity Saunders.
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