Network: WGN America
Episodes: 20 (hour)
Seasons: Two
TV show dates: March 9, 2016 — May 10, 2017
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Aldis Hodge, Jessica De Gouw, Alano Miller, Christopher Meloni, Marc Blucas, Reed Diamond, Adina Porter, Amirah Vann, Mykelti Williamson, Theodus Crane, Johnny Ray Gill, Renwick Scott, Jussie Smollett, and Andrea Frankle.
TV show description:
Set in 1857 Georgia, this antebellum historical drama thriller features the heroes of the Underground Railroad who used everything within them to escape bondage and live as free men and women.
Noah (Aldis Hodge) is a blacksmith, who keeps his own counsel. It is he who organizes fellow slaves and develops an escape plan that will take them on the long journey to freedom. With the odds stacked against them, can he lead the group on this treacherous 600 mile journey north?
Noah is in love with the young, bashful Rosalee (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) — a house slave to the Macon family. She has not experienced much of life, particularly not off the plantation. While she had never before considered running, a brutal incident awakens something within.
Her mother and head house slave, Ernestine (Amira Vann) is a savvy woman, who does whatever it takes to safeguard her family. She shares a connection with August Pullman (Christopher Meloni).
A Mexican-American war veteran, Pullman is trying to make a life for himself and his son, as a farmer. A complicated man, he struggles to find his moral compass and to put food on the table.
Moses (Mykelti Williamson) is the slaves’ preacher. He works to discern if it is God’s will to risk his family in an attempt to free them. He is married to Pearly Mae (Adina Porter), who first inspires the group to escape.
John Hawkes (Marc Blucas) is an abolitionist lawyer, dedicated to the cause of freedom. Despite his profession, he answers to a higher law.
His wife, Ohio socialite Elizabeth Hawkes (Jessica De Gouw), shares her husband’s convictions. Still, she is afraid of the consequences their commitment to the cause could bring.
A clever man, the fearsome Cato (Alano Miller) is a larger-than-life presence on the plantation. His fellow slaves loathe this assistant overseer.
A plantation owner with political aspirations, northerner Tom Macon (Reed Diamond) longs to become a true “man of the South.” He is married to Suzanna (Andrea Frankle).
Sizable and strong, Zeke (Theodus Crane) is a mighty man with hidden agonies. Sam (Johnny Ray Gill) is Rosalee’s half brother and a gifted craftsman.
Although young and restless, Henry (Renwick Scott) has a good heart. He is devoted to his hero, Noah. A runaway, Josey (Jussie Smollett) has learned the hard way not to trust anyone.
Series Finale:
Episode #20 — Soldier
The road to freedom is paved in blood.
First aired: May 10, 2017.
What do you think? Do you like the Underground TV show? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a third season?
This should be network. Best thing on TV. EMMY worthy!
Renew Underground for years to come!!!
You must renew this show and reward these actors . They are so great. Do not cancel . More advertisement needed .
I really like the show. But I’m so upset that it’s going it’s not going to continue until 2017. If I would’ve knew this I would’ve never started watching it. I hate when they do these things.
It is such a part of our history! I wish we didn’t have to wait so long for the next series. Fascinating and heart wrenching at the same time!
Absolutely entertaining aspects. Historical inputs of characters and events outlined. Stories are intensely written, actors so believable. I am new to show, but love every episode. Please WGN do not cancel.
There’re so many wonderful aspects of the show it’s hard to put it all in this little space but the strength & complexities of the characters create the intensity of the story. And the blending of modern music with the past reminds us how easily we could slip back into the violence and hatred of our past. I’m excited about next season and I hope WGN has the courage to keep this incrediblely well written, acted & directed show on the air. DO NOT CANCEL.
Keep this show, history reaching another demographic
I shouldn’t even have to ask. Excellent show with a well written script.
The show is good. But I hate that they have killed off everyone. The plan did not end up going well at all. The Macon 9 who were planning to run. Two got left Poor Pearly May and Rosalee Brother. Now they are dead. Then the Macon 7. Four of them are dead. Now there are only 3 left. The Macon 3. I hate all of the actors who started on the show are dead. How are they going to have a second season with the good cast being killed off and if they come back for a second season… Read more »
Not everyone has been killed… Rosalee, Boo, Ernestine, Noah and Rosalee’ little brother are still very much alive and possibly CATO’s kids . Those who were killed live on in people like U and ME… The MESSANGER may have been silenced but not the MESSAGE. Rosalee was clear, “Ain’t none of us free until WE are ALL free.
I look forward to seeing this show every week! I hope it is renewed with all of the positive ratings it has been receiving. The only thing I would change is adding me to the show!!!!
Love the show, but the plan was not a success, because most of the main characters have been killed off (killing Henry). Do not think the writers planned for success.
Just terrible. We need shows that stop reliving this situation and showing how much opportunity tax payers have offered the black community. The Wire was a more realistic depiction of black America. Do not blame the messenger.
Underground & Outsiders are amazing shows the demographics is our household that watch them are 14, 39, 50 I hope Underground gets renewed also
please do not cancel the underground series! It brings to the for ground the
history many have forgotten. when will this series be starting up again???