In 2016, Lifford was cast in her first series regular role as of 1990s, in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama Queen Sugar produced by Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey. She plays the role of Violet Bordelon, the aunt to the Bordelon siblings Nova (Rutina Wesley), Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) and Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner). Violet is a spunky woman involved in a long-term relationship with a younger man (played by Omar Dorsey). For her performance, Lifford received two NAACP Image Awards nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, and well as Black Reel Awards nomination.
