Yesterday [January 16, 2016] WGN America released via Twitter two new trailers for the highly anticipated dramatic thriller, Underground.
My story as a slave #BreakFreehttps://t.co/sD6keM3cAQ
— Underground (@UndergroundSPTV) January 16, 2016
My name is Noah. I am a slave.https://t.co/qSOXTGab0m
— Underground (@UndergroundSPTV) January 16, 2016
Bravery, ingenuity, and power take center stage in the Underground Railroad-themed escape thriller, as plantation slaves band together in the fight of their lives for their families, their future and most importantly, their freedom.
John Legend, Academy Award and Golden Globe-winner and nine-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, together with Get Lifted partners Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius, are executive-producing Underground. Get Lifted is also overseeing the score, soundtrack and all music aspects of the series (which will include Hip Hop).
Get Lifted joined creators/executive producers Misha Green and Joe Pokaski and executive producer Akiva Goldsman on the scripted original series from Sony Pictures Television and Tribune Studios.
“We are excited to join forces with WGN America and Sony and the talented team of writers and producers on this powerful project that we believe will inspire us all,” said Legend. “This series has a unique opportunity to speak to the passion and courage of those who risked it all as they raced to freedom. We are honored to bring our creative vision to this thrilling project.”
Legend, who together with his songwriting partner Common won an Oscar last year for Best Original Song “Glory” from Selma, is a civil rights activist whose multi-platinum selling music has inspired fans across the globe.
Underground stars Aldis Hodge (Straight Outta Compton, Leverage, Turn) as Noah, a restless slave who organizes a small team of fellow slaves on the Macon plantation to plan an escape.
Jurnee Smollett-Bell (Friday Night Lights, True Blood, The Great Debaters) stars as Rosalee, a shy house slave with a powerful inner strength and courage.
Emmy-nominated actor Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For) as August Pullman, a secretive man who walks a tightrope between morality and survival.
Alano Miller (Jane The Virgin) stars as Cato, a cunning, charismatic man despised and feared by his fellow slaves.
Jessica de Gouw (Arrow, Dracula) stars as Elizabeth Hawkes, a socialite who shares the abolitionist ideals of her husband, John (Marc Blucas, Blue Bloods), a lawyer whose principles clash with the legislation he’s sworn to uphold.
Adina Porter (True Blood, The 100, The Newsroom) stars as Pearly Mae, a strong-willed wife and mother; Mykelti Williamson (Justified, 24) as her husband Moses, a fiery preacher.
Amirah Vann (Girls, And So It Goes) stars as Ernestine, head house slave and fiercely devoted mother.
Johnny Ray Gill (Rectify) stars as Sam, Rosalee’s half-brother and a talented carpenter.
The full cast and crew list is here. Underground is currently in production in Baton Rouge, for a season premiere on Wednesday, March 9, 2016.