WGN America Cancels ‘Underground’ Officially Cutting Ties with Original Programming
Published on June 1st, 2017 | Updated on June 1st, 2017 | By FanFest
Another casualty of the television melee, the critically-acclaimed historical series Underground is now searching for a new home. WGN America announced On Monday that the series would not be renewed for a 3rd season despite decent performance in ratings and critical accolades for the show.
The decision not to renew the popular series is not exactly a shocker for fans given that, approximately a month and a half ago, after making the decision not to renew another popular original program Outsiders, Peter Kern, interim president and CEO of Tribune Media issued a statement saying the network was reallocating funds:
“We will be reallocating our resources to a more diverse programming strategy and to new structures, enabling us to expand both the quantity and breadth of content aired by WGN America. This move is designed to deliver even more value to our advertising and distribution partners.”
The cancellation of Underground, Outsiders, Salem and other original WGN America programming comes as the network prepares to change its programming format featured on the network while the network parent company Tribune Media is preparing for its acquisition by Sinclair.
AKern said the following regarding Underground cancellation:
“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 series is not quite ready to give up on hope yet. Executive producer John Legend tweeted the following rally cry to fans, letting them know they are still on the hunt for a new home for the series:
WGN America has been bought and is going a different direction strategically. We will find a new home for #Underground! https://t.co/xY47THI1Yl
— John Legend (@johnlegend) May 30, 2017
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!
— John Legend (@johnlegend) May 30, 2017
Underground featured a notable and well-renowned cast including Aldis Hodge (Straight Outta Compton), Jurnee Smollett-Bell (Friday Night Lights), and Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: SVU). In season 2, Aisha Hinds was introduced as Harriet Tubman and executive producer John Legend stepped in front of the camera to take on the role of Frederick Douglass.
Similarly, fans and cast members from the series Outsiders also made a tremendous push to support the show in an effort of finding it a new home network however, sadly, it was announced that would not happy approximately a month ago. Here’s hoping Underground will not suffer the same fate and that it can find a new home and continue telling the compelling stories of the Underground Railroad.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
A karaoke obsessed, craft beer enthusiast and lover of all things pop culture, Denise enjoys all facets of entertainment from Broadway to box office blockbusters. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, concerts (lots and lots of concerts), volunteering, reading and playing with her rescue kitten, Samantha (who rescued who, right?).
