Underground Series Cancelled By WGN As Network Looks To Rebrand
It has been announced today that the WGN series Underground will no longer be returning with the May 10th episode “Soldier” serving as the series finale. Underground, the John Legend executive produced series about the Underground Railroad in Antebellum Georgia, had been shopped around by producer Sony Pictures Television when it became clear that it would not be returning on WGN, but so far there has been no luck. So as of now the Underground series is cancelled, unless someone jumps in to save it, much like the case with the Netflix series, The Get Down.
Peter Kern, the CEO of WGN’s parent company, Tribune Media, had this to say in regards to Underground in a statement released Tuesday night:
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.
Against Peter’s hopes, however, Underground’s future may be…well…underground. The program boasted a $5 million an episode budget, which makes it a difficult show for other networks to want to jump at. BET and OWN have already been two networks confirmed to pass on the show and efforts to sell Outsiders, another cancelled WGN series, also ended up not finding a second home after searches. This hasn’t stopped John Legend though as the executive producer took to Twitter Tuesday night to voice his opinion on the cancellation of the show:
“WGN America has been bought and is going a different direction strategically. We will find a new home for #Underground! Content wins. We’re not reliant on a particular network to make great content. We’re so proud of our show and the audience that supported! Be wary of Sinclair though. They’re trying to make local stations mini Fox Newses, but more to the right. Feel free to drop some hints to the networks/streaming services you want to pick up #Underground. Show them who will be watching!
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