Sugar is a supporting character who initially serves as an antagonist, but later becomes an ally, in the television series Luke Cage, set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Initially portrayed as a gang member and enforcer working for Harlem's criminal organizations, primarily under Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes and Mariah Dillard, his loyalty shifts over the course of the story, eventually leading him to collaborate with the series' titular hero.
He was portrayed by Sean Ringgold.
Biography[]
Season 1[]
Sugar first appears as a member of Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes' crew, taking part in his criminal operations in Harlem. He is present during efforts to intimidate local business owners, such as Jin Lin, the proprietor of Genghis Connie's restaurant. Alongside fellow gang members, Zip and Koko, he attempts to extort money to fund Mariah Dillard’s political campaign. During this confrontation, he encounters Luke Cage. Initially, Sugar shows some bravado toward Cage, but after Luke demonstrates his superhuman strength and bulletproofness, Sugar quickly backs down, distancing himself from his defeated associates.
Later, Sugar attends a meeting organized by Cottonmouth, where he witnesses Cottonmouth killing Koko. He is visibly horrified by the situation - when Koko is shot, Sugar is sitting on the couch right behind him and is splattered with the victim’s blood. After Cottonmouth’s death, Sugar ends up working under the leadership of Willis "Diamondback" Stryker and Mariah Stokes.
His role becomes more significant during the hostage crisis at Harlem's Paradise, triggered by Diamondback. Diamondback assigns Sugar to watch over the hostages, including Claire Temple and Candace Miller. When Claire pretends that Candace needs diabetes medication, Sugar escorts her to the kitchen, where Claire overpowers him, using the element of surprise and the stairs to her advantage. After the crisis ends, Sugar is arrested along with Hernan "Shades" Alvarez. However, despite being apprehended at the scene of a major crime, detectives Misty Knight and Priscilla Ridley express the view that Sugar is "probably innocent".
Season 2[]
After Cottonmouth's death and Diamondback's defeat, Sugar continues working for the criminal organization, now led by Mariah Dillard. At the beginning of the season, he takes part in a plan to lure Luke Cage into a trap set by drug dealer Arturo "El Rey" Gomez III.
In the second season, more personal aspects of Sugar's life are revealed - he has a wife and a newborn child. Second season also delves deeper into the reasons behind his long-standing loyalty to the Stokes family. It turns out that his loyalty is rooted in the past; Mama Mabel, the grandmother of Mariah and Cornell, once helped him pay for college after a knee injury ended his promising athletic career.
However, Sugar gradually begins to question Mariah’s increasingly brutal methods. During a situation where Anansi is being led to his execution, Sugar tells his fellow enforcers that "this doesn't feel right", and ultimately refuses to continue working with the Stokes family. He leaves them behind and sets out to find Luke Cage. When he encounters Cage on the street, there's initial tension between them, but Sugar manages to convince him that Mariah has lost control and must be stopped. He tells Cage the now-famous words: "Harlem doesn't need a sheriff... He's right. It needs a king. Let's talk." Cage agrees to work with Sugar.
Thanks to his connections, Sugar helps Cage track the activities of new gangs. For example, he informs him that the influx of drugs into the old streets of Harlem is being controlled by the Chinese gang, Yangsi Gonshi. Sugar points out the locations of drug warehouses, which Cage then takes down. When they learn about a concert organized by Mariah at Harlem's Paradise, Sugar advises Luke to stay out of it, suggesting they let Bushmaster handle the Stokes family.
In the end, Sugar works with Cage in recruiting former enemies. During a meeting at the barbershop, Sugar serves as Cage’s right-hand man—informing him about the arrival of Carbone’s and Izquierda’s gangsters, and arranging for them to sit in the VIP section. After Bushmaster is finally defeated and Mariah is arrested, Sugar continues to work alongside Cage, helping deal with new threats in Harlem.
Personality[]
Sugar is primarily characterized by pragmatism and a strong survival instinct. His actions are often motivated by a desire to avoid trouble and secure his safety in the brutal world of Harlem's criminal underworld. He can be opportunistic, shifting his loyalty when power dynamics change, as seen in his switch to Luke Cage's side after Mariah’s fall.
His loyalty, though present, is conditional and deeply rooted in the past - a debt of gratitude to Mama Mabel for the help she once gave him. He doesn’t seem to have deep affection for his bosses, and his loyalty has its limits, especially when it conflicts with his sense of morality or self-preservation instinct, as shown by his refusal to take part in the massacre of innocent civilians.
Powers and Abilities[]
- Hand-to-Hand Combat
- Firearms Proficiency
Trivia[]
- Sugar earned his nickname back in high school – his teammates and fans from the football team would shout "Sugar!" at him because of his fame as a player.
