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?
I watched the entire two seasons on hulu and I love it!! I am soo sad that it has gotten cancelled. Please bring it back, it offers the historical background, suspense and drama that has not been seen for a long time on television.
Underground was a wonderful show with an outstanding cast. I loved the work that the cast & directors put into the series. It should be brought back. I loved the series. There is so much junk on TV, how is it a great series like Underground can be cancelled. It is beyond me that the very rich Ms Lady “O” from OWN Network can say she could not afford the cost of this series. REALLY!!! Underground was the truth that some of these young black Americans need to see as a reminder of our history being black in America. I… Read more »
Can’t afford – a billionair !!!!!! But O’s greatest things – brand new cars to every audience member, giving to whomever she feels is “noteworthy” in her circle – always building and buying the next Mega-Mansion…….please try another excuse!!!!!!
I love this show, please bring it BACK!!!!!!
It is absolutely preposterous that this show is being cancelled. It seems as if anything that isn’t “dumbing us down” is being taken away. I can’t fathom the fact the ratings for Underground aren’t high enough to keep on the air. Something just isn’t adding up with this….Yes Ms. Oprah, work your magic so we can watch this amazing show on your network, please.
Underground kept you on the edge of your seat, it motivated, stimulated, made you happy, angry, sad, and made you cry I was in shock when I heard it was being cancelled. I truly believe they will find a new home. I mean they have to, it was too good!
Underground is a great show. Reconsider . Current music over historical content; I love this show!
BRING THIS SHOW BACK! PLEASE!
Please bring this show back. It was well put together and was not the typical slave movie. It captured my attention to the point I was hungry for the next season. The script is well put together and should not have been canceled. TEARS!
This is a distressing to hear that an amazing series has been cancelled . The actors the story line was pure magic . Please bring this show back ,I had one of my grandsons watch this with me to show him what being a black ,biracial person was like to live in that time period. What a shame and shame on you for cancelling Underground.
OMG, why would they cancelled an amazing TV show. Why is it that when the truth is out others tend to destroy it. If they have these stupid TV shows about teen pregnancy showing our teenagers that it’s ok to become parents before high school and not graduate; why is this ok and not our HISTORY even if it has a small twist. Please bring this show back. What can I do?
This show was amazing and I’ll pray to bring it back. For as many seasons as we need to tell our history.
I agree – pregnant at 16, married in 90 days, ********, twerking contests, on and on with the nonsense and shows that have NO EDUCATIONAL VALUE WHATSOEVER!!!
So disappointed! The show definitely should’ve been renewed. Or the writer could’ve at least ended the season in a way that didn’t leave us hanging.
Oh, no! My daughter and I were looking forward to season 3. We both love the modern spin of the show and how thought provoking it is. I was able to see things in a different perspective after watching i.e. I never imagined a house slave jealous of a field slave, I always saw it the other way around, but the explanation made sense and I would have never thought there to be drugs used in that period of time, but why not since drugs derive from plants… I hope someone saves the show, one of the few I enjoyed.… Read more »
LDB great point naming Tyler or why can;t he and Lady “O” from OWN Network team up put their funds together and keep this show going.
love the show hate to see it go
I am so very disappointed that they have canceled the show. I was left hanging in anticipating the next series. This show depucs a viable and crucial era of American history that should be told. Please bring the show back.
Yes, please bring back Underground. It’s ONE of only a few shows that are worth watching. Please don’t cancel it!!!!
I have been watching this show from the very beginning. I am very disappointed to hear this show was canceled. I really wish a CABLE network would pick this up as it has a lot of good acting and a great story line. I was hoping OWN would pick it up as I like the shows on this network as well. We need Undergound to continue onto more series. I know this is possible because there is a lot to tell.