'WGN America has been bought and is going a different direction strategically. We will find a new home for #Underground!' EP John Legend writes on Twitter.
- May 31, 2017
AceShowbiz - Following the cancellation of "Outsiders", WGN America has decided to cancel its other series, "Underground", after two seasons. Despite considerable critical praise for the series, the network thinks that the series, which chronicles the lives of both runaway slaves and abolitionists in the pre-Civil War United States, no longer fits their "new direction" of programming. The network has exited the arena of original series programming.
"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," Tribune Media President and CEO Peter Kern said in a statement. Kern continued, "This move is designed to deliver additional value for our advertising and distribution partners and offer viewers more original content across our air."
Kern added, "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." The CEO went on saying, "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."
In response to the cancellation, executive producer Legend took to Twitter to announce that the "Underground" producing team will seek a new home. "WGN America has been bought and is going a different direction strategically. We will find a new home for #Underground!" he wrote. He added in another tweet, "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!"
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
The singer also warned his followers to "be wary" of Sinclair, a conservative-leaning TV station owner who bought Tribune Media for $3.9 billion a few weeks earlier. "Be wary of Sinclair though. They're trying to make local stations mini Fox Newses, but more to the right," wrote Legend on the micro-blogging site.
Be wary of Sinclair though. They're trying to make local stations mini Fox Newses, but more to the right.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) May 30, 2017
Creator Green also posted on her Twitter account a GIF taken from the series. "But the fight ain't over. We appreciate the outpouring of fan support. & we're determined to find a new network for #Underground!!!" so she captioned the video.
But the fight ain't over. We appreciate the outpouring of fan support. & we're determined to find a new network for #Underground!!! ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/jphx11Mufv
— Misha Green (@MishaGreen) May 31, 2017
"Underground" stars Aldis Hodge, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Christopher Meloni and Aisha Hinds. In addition to executive producing, Legend stars on the series, playing a character named Frederick Douglass.
