Last year, WGN America unveiled an engaging, racy drama about a group of slaves who escape a Georgia plantation in the 1850s.
Known as the Macon 7, the drama followed their daring and carefully constructed plan to escape the unbearable hardship of slavery and become free men and women. The ring leader, Noah (Aldis Hodge), made a risk-filled plan to travel hundreds of miles away via the Underground Railroad along with six others. Relentlessly pursued by a slave catcher played by Christopher Meloni, the group were faced with several obstacles and lost a few members on their quest for freedom.
Written by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, the first episode aired March 9, 2016 and became a hit with audiences who tuned in each week to follow the adventures of the Macon 7. With tantalizing twists, endearing characters and a slave narrative, which brought a new perspective to the topic of slavery, “Underground” followed a group of men and women courageously and diligently fighting their oppression.
With Season 2 scheduled to air March 9th, 2017, the series celebrated its return to WGN America at the Westwood Village Theater in Los Angeles with a star studded celebration, which continued at Baltaire in Brentwood where the network hosted a post-premiere party for the cast and creative team.
In attendance was “Underground”s executive producer John Legend, who guest stars as Frederick Douglass on the upcoming season, stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Aldis Hodge, Jessica de Gouw, Amirah Vann, Christopher Meloni, Alano Miller, Aisha Hinds, Bokeem Woodbine, Jasika Nicole, DeWanda Wise, Michael Trotter, Jesse Luken, and Sadie Stratton. Co-creators/executive producers Misha Green and Joe Pokaski; director/executive Producer Anthony Hemingway; executive Producers Akiva Goldsman, Tory Tunnell, Toby Harold, Mike Jackson, Ty Stiklorius and Mark Taylor along with Matt Cherniss (President & General Manager, WGN America & Tribune Studios) were also in attendance. Additional attendees included Chrissy Teigen, Angela Bassett, Cedric the Entertainer, Cuba Gooding Jr., Affion Crocket, Cynthia Erivo, Jussie Smollett, Michael Jai White, Lane Miller, Laz Alonso and Tommy Davidson.
The second season of WGN America’s 10-episode Underground Railroad thriller will premiere Wednesday, March 8 at 10:00 pm ET/PT (check local listings on http://www.wgnamerica.com/channel-finder).
The series continues the characters’ unremitting struggle for freedom within a divided America on the brink of civil war, each side vying to enact their own justice.
