A month after my “‘Underground’ Might Be Finished at WGN” piece, leaving fans wondering what the the future of the beloved series held, the network has now officially announced its cancellation.
Peter Kern, President and CEO Tribune Media (parent company of WGN America), said the following in a statement released this afternoon: “As WGN America evolves and broadens the scope and scale of its portfolio of series, we recently announced that resources will be reallocated to a new strategy to increase our relevance within the rapidly changing television landscape. This move is designed to deliver additional value for our advertising and distribution partners and offer viewers more original content across our air. Despite ‘Underground’ being a terrific and important series, it no longer fits with our new direction and we have reached the difficult decision not to renew it for a third season. We are tremendously proud of this landmark series that captured the zeitgeist and made an impact on television in a way never before seen on the medium. We thank the incomparable creators Misha Green and Joe Pokaski and the great John Legend, along with the talented creative team and cast who brought the unsung American heroes of the Underground Railroad to life. We are grateful to the loyal fans of ‘Underground’ and our partners at Sony Pictures Television. It is our hope that this remarkable show finds another home and continues its stories of courage, determination and freedom.”
The move comes after Sinclair Broadcast’s acquisition of Tribune Media in a deal valued at $3.9 billion, announced earlier this month. And with the purchase, it was expected that the network’s new owners would likely have other plans for the properties they just bought.
What happens with “Underground” now in terms of whether it will indeed find a new home, is still to be determined. As I suggested in a previous post, the most suitable network for it is probably OWN thanks to its primarily African American female target demo – a similar audience that “Underground” draws, although not exclusively. Although with several original scripted series already on its schedule (“Queen Sugar,” “Greenleaf” and 4 Tyler Perry-branded shows) OWN may not be able to afford “Underground.” I should note that 2 of its current Tyler Perry series will be ending after the next season, and a new Tyler Perry series will be added. But I don’t think that changes the network’s financial outlook much. However, I’m not an OWN executive, and aren’t privy to any inside information so it wouldn’t at all surprise me if OWN is already making a play for “Underground.”
SVOD platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon would certainly make good homes for the series.
As for black TV networks like BET and TV One, I’m not sure they can afford it.
But for now, it’s all guesswork and speculation, so until we hear something official, “Underground” may be done for good.
“Underground” tells the story of revolutionaries of the Underground Railroad who use their ingenuity, power and perseverance to attempt the greatest escape in history despite the dire consequences that awaited them on the other side. Set in a desperate and dangerous time, the provocative and compelling series focuses on a group of courageous men and women who band together for the fight of their lives—for their families, their future and their freedom. The second season of WGN America’s 10-episode Underground Railroad thriller 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.
The celebrated cast for “Underground” includes: Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Rosalee, Aldis Hodge as Noah, Jessica de Gouw as Elizabeth Hawkes, Alano Miller as Cato, Christopher Meloni as August Pullman, Amirah Vann as Ernestine and Marc Blucas as John Hawkes. Season two newcomers include Aisha Hinds in the pioneering role of Harriet Tubman, as well as Jasika Nicole as Georgia, DeWanda Wise as Clara, Bokeem Woodbine as Daniel, Michael Trotter as Biographer, Jesse Luken as Smoke, Sadie Stratton as Patty Cannon, Robert Christopher Riley as Hicks and singer-songwriter John Legend as renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
From Sony Pictures Television, “Underground” is created and written by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, who serve as Executive Producers alongside director Anthony Hemingway; Akiva Goldsman of Weed Road Pictures; Tory Tunnell and Joby Harold of Safehouse Pictures; John Legend, Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius of Get Lifted Film Co; and Mark Taylor.
