Exclusive: WGN's "Underground" Explores Courage and Danger of Runaway Slaves

WGN-Underground-poster-Jurnee-Smollett-Bell

WGN America announced today that “Underground,” the highly-anticipated original series, will premiere Wednesday, March 9.  The 10 episode series takes viewers on a pulse-pounding journey with revolutionaries of the Underground Railroad.  From creators and executive producers Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, and executive producer and Academy Award-winner John Legend, the 10-episode, hour-long program stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Aldis Hodge, and follows a group of courageous men and women who use their ingenuity, power and perseverance to attempt the greatest escape in history and break free, despite the dire consequences that awaited them on the other side.  “Underground” is produced by Sony Pictures Television and Tribune Studios.

In WGN America’s “Underground,” a courageous blacksmith Noah (Aldis Hodge) covertly organizes a small group of his fellow slaves and pieces together a daring plan of escape across hundreds of miles to freedom.  The odds of success are razor-thin for those who make it off the plantation, while the risks, dangers and obstacles multiply each step of the way.

“Underground” features an acclaimed cast, including Jurnee Smollett-Bell (“True Blood,” “Friday Night Lights”), Aldis Hodge (“Straight Outta Compton”), Christopher Meloni (“Sin City: A Dame to Kill For”), Alano Miller (“Jane The Virgin”), Jessica de Gouw (“Arrow,” “Dracula”), Marc Blucas (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), Adina Porter (“The 100”), Mykelti Williamson (“Justified,” “24”), Amirah Vann (“Girls,” “And So It Goes”), Johnny Ray Gill (“Rectify”), Chris Chalk (“Gotham”), Reed Diamond (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Theodus Crane (“The Walking Dead”), Renwick Scott (“Treme”) and Jussie Smollett (“Empire”).

Check out the EXCLUSIVE trailers, below:

 “The Plan” is distinctly told from the viewpoint of a slave named Noah, portrayed by Aldis Hodge

The Plan

 

“Wanted” is told from the perspective on one of the slave owners, Tom Macon (played by Reed Diamond).

“Wanted”

Click here to check out “Wanted.”

“Underground” is created by Misha Green (“Sons Of Anarchy,” “Heroes”) and Joe Pokaski (“Daredevil,” “Heroes,”) who executive produce alongside Academy Award-winner Akiva Goldsman (“A Beautiful Mind,” “I Am Legend”) of Weed Road Pictures; and Joby Harold (“King Arthur,” “Edge of Tomorrow”) and Tory Tunnell (“King Arthur,” “Holy Rollers”) of Safehouse Pictures.  Visionary artist and producer John Legend, an Academy Award, Golden Globe® and multi-Grammy Award winner, and his Get Lifted partners Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius executive produce.  Additionally, Get Lifted oversees all elements of the show’s music.  Anthony Hemingway (“The Wire,” “Treme”) directs and serves as executive producer for the first four episodes. 

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