''Underground'' is an American television period drama series created by

Misha Green Misha Green (born September 22, 1984, in Sacramento, California) is an American screenwriter, director, and producer. She is best known as the showrunner of the supernatural series ''Lovecraft Country'' on HBO and creator and executive producer of ...

and

Joe Pokaski Joe Pokaski is a writer and television producer known for his work on the television series '' Marvel's Cloak & Dagger'', as well as the television series '' Underground'' and '' Heroes''. He has also written ''Heroes'' tie-in products, and a num ...

about the

Underground Railroad The Underground Railroad was a network of clandestine routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early- to mid-19th century. It was used by enslaved African Americans primarily to escape into free states and Canada. ...

Antebellum Antebellum, Latin for "before war", may refer to: United States history * Antebellum South, the pre-American Civil War period in the Southern United States ** Antebellum Georgia ** Antebellum South Carolina ** Antebellum Virginia * Antebellum ar ...

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...

. The show debuted March 9, 2016, on

WGN America WGN America was an American subscription television network that was owned by the Nexstar Media Group, and was the company's only wholly owned, national cable-originated television channel. The channel in its final form under the WGN branding ra ...

. On April 25, 2016, WGN renewed the show for a 10-episode second season, that premiered on March 8, 2017. On May 30, 2017, it was announced that WGN had canceled the show after two seasons. The cancellation came after the network's parent company

Tribune Media Tribune Media Company, also known as Tribune Company, was an American multimedia conglomerate headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Through Tribune Broadcasting, Tribune Media was one of the largest television broadcasting companies, owning 39 ...

was attempted to be purchased by conservative corporation Sinclair Broadcasting Group, which led to speculation that the latter did not approve of the subject matter of the show. The

Oprah Winfrey Network Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) is an American multinational basic cable channel jointly owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and Harpo Studios that launched on January 1, 2011, replacing the Discovery Health Channel. The network is led by talk show ho ...

acquired rebroadcast rights for ''Underground'' in 2020.

Cast

Main

Aldis Hodge Aldis Alexander Basil Hodge (born September 20, 1986) is an American actor. Among his significant roles, he played Alec Hardison in the TNT series '' Leverage'', MC Ren in the 2015 biopic ''Straight Outta Compton'', Levi Jackson in the 2016 film ...

as Noah, a driven, perceptive, and restless

slave Slavery and enslavement are both the state and the condition of being a slave—someone forbidden to quit one's service for an enslaver, and who is treated by the enslaver as property. Slavery typically involves slaves being made to perf ...

on the Macon plantation. He is one of the Macon 7. *

Jurnee Smollett-Bell Jurnee Diana Smollett (born October 1, 1986) is an American actress. She began her career as a child actress appearing on television sitcoms, including '' On Our Own'' (1994–1995) and ''Full House'' (1992–1994). She gained greater recognition ...

as Rosalee, a young, shy, and sheltered

house slave A house slave was a slave who worked, and often lived, in the house of the slave-owner, performing domestic labor. House slaves performed largely the same duties as all domestic workers throughout history, such as cooking, cleaning, serving meals, ...

on the Macon plantation. She is one of the Macon 7. *

Jessica De Gouw Jessica Elise De Gouw (born 15 February 1988) is an Australian actress. She is known for her role as Helena Bertinelli/The Huntress in the television series ''Arrow'', as Mina Murray in the NBC TV series ''Dracula'', and as Elizabeth Hawkes in ...

as Elizabeth Hawkes, a socialite with

abolitionist Abolitionism, or the abolitionist movement, is the movement to end slavery. In Western Europe and the Americas, abolitionism was a historic movement that sought to end the Atlantic slave trade and liberate the enslaved people. The British ...

ideals. *

Alano Miller Alano Herberto Miller (born 1980) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Cato on the short-lived WGN America drama series ''Underground''. Early life Miller was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, U.S. Miller is of Cuban, Ba ...

as Cato, a cunning and charismatic slave. He is one of the Macon 7. *

Christopher Meloni Christopher Peter Meloni (; born April 2, 1961) is an American actor. He is known for his television roles as NYPD Detective Elliot Stabler on the NBC legal drama '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' for its first 12 seasons and its spin-off ...

as August Pullman, a secretive bounty hunter who walks a tightrope between morality and survival. *

Amirah Vann Amirah Charline Vann (born 1980) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for playing attorney Tegan Price in ''How to Get Away with Murder''. Life and career Amirah Charline Vann was born in 1980, in Queens, New York. Her father is ...

as Ernestine, the head house slave of the Macon plantation, who is fiercely protective of her children. She also uses her sexual relationship with Tom Macon to leverage protection for her children. He is the father of her two children, Rosalee and James. (recurring season 1, main cast season 2)

Recurring

* Christopher Backus as Jeremiah Johnson, an ex-con and

slave catcher In the United States a slave catcher was a person employed to track down and return escaped slaves to their enslavers. The first slave catchers in the Americas were active in European colonies in the West Indies during the sixteenth century. I ...

. (season 1) *

Marc Blucas Marcus Paul Blucas (born January 11, 1972) is an American actor. Prior to his acting career, he played college basketball with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. He had his first starring role as soldier and love interest Riley Finn on the WB super ...

as John Hawkes, an abolitionist lawyer. *

Reed Diamond Reed Edward Diamond (born July 20, 1967) is an American actor. He is known for the roles of Det. Mike Kellerman on '' Homicide: Life on the Street'', Jason Pillar in season 8 of '' 24'', and recurring character Laurence Dominic on ''Dollhouse' ...

as Tom Macon (ne Hawkes), John Hawkes' brother and the owner of the Macon plantation. (season 1) *

James Lafferty James Martin Lafferty (born July 25, 1985) is an American actor, director, and producer. He is best known for his portrayal of Nathan Scott on The WB/ CW teen drama television series '' One Tree Hill'' (2003–2012). Early life Lafferty was bo ...

as Kyle Risdin, a US Marshall and Elizabeth's ex-fiancé. (season 1) * Renwick Scott as Henry, a teenaged slave with a rebellious streak and a heart of gold. He is one of the Macon 7. (season 1) *

Chris Chalk Christopher Eugene Chalk (born December 7, 1977) is an American actor. Early life Born in Asheville, North Carolina, studied at Asheville High School and graduated in 1996 and went to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Career Chalk ...

William Still William Still (October 7, 1821 – July 14, 1902) was an African-American abolitionist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, businessman, writer, historian and civil rights activist. Before the Ameri ...

. *

Adina Porter Adina Elizabeth Porter is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Lettie Mae Thornton on the HBO fantasy horror series ''True Blood'' (2008–2014), Kendra James on the HBO drama series '' The Newsroom'' (2012–2014), and Indra ...

as Pearly Mae, a strong-willed wife, mother, and slave who first gives voice to the song in which the runners will find clues to help guide them to freedom. Pearly Mae is literate and reads the Bible to her husband Moses, which makes the other slaves believe he is the one who can read, although it is only Pearly Mae who can read. * Mykelti Williamson as Moses, a fiery preacher for the Macon plantation's field slaves. Many of the slaves believe that he can read the Bible; however, Moses is illiterate. It is his wife Pearly Mae who secretly reads for him. He is one of the Macon 7. (season 1) * Theodus Crane as Zeke, a formidable slave in both strength and stature. He is one of the Macon 7. (season 1) * Andrea Frankle as Suzanna Macon, Tom Macon's wife and Pearly Mae's half-sister, who frequently expresses her disdain for Ernestine, her husband's mistress and mother of two of his slave children. * Toby Nichols as Thomas Roberts "T.R." Macon, Tom and Suzanna's son. * Mary Katherine Duhon as Mary Macon, Tom and Suzanna's teenage daughter. (season 1) *

Kedrick Brown Albert Kedrick Brown (born March 18, 1981) is an American former professional basketball player and coach. Born and raised in Zachary, Louisiana, Brown played college basketball at Okaloosa-Walton Community College (now Northwest Florida State C ...

as Lou, Warrior Prisoner helping Noah to escape. (season 2) *

Johnny Ray Gill Johnny Ray Gill (born 1984) is an American stage and screen actor. Early life Gill grew up in Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Jefferson High School in 2002. He attended the University of Southern California for one year before transferring ...

as Sam, a talented carpenter and Rosalee and James's older half-brother. * PJ Marshall as Bill Meekes, the Macon plantation overseer. * Darielle Stewart as Boo, Moses and Pearly Mae's daughter. Although she is quiet and shy, she is one of the Macon 7. (season 1) * Maceo Smedley as James, Ernestine's youngest child. He is the younger brother of Sam and Rosalee. * Michelle Elaine as Corra, a house slave on the Macon Plantation. * Jannette Sepwa as Sarah, a house slave on the Macon Plantation. * Brady Permenter as Ben Pullman, August's son. (season 1) *

Clarke Peters Peter Clarke (born April 7, 1952), known professionally as Clarke Peters, is an American-British actor, writer, and director. He is best known for his roles as Lester Freamon in the television series ''The Wire'' (2002–2008) and Albert Lambrea ...

as Jay, August's slave. (season 1) * Jennifer Nettles as Charlotte, August's wife and Ben's mother. (season 1) *

Devyn A. Tyler Devyn Ariel Tyler is an American actress. She is a regular on the TV series ''Snowfall'' and ''Clarice''. Biography Tyler was born in New Orleans to actress Deneen Tyler. She attended the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts ...

as Seraphina, Zeke's wife. (season 1) *

Joseph Sikora Joseph Sikora (born June 27, 1976) is an American actor best known for his starring role as Tommy Egan on the Starz series ''Power'' and its subsequent spin-offs and sequels, '' Power Book II: Ghost'' and '' Power Book IV: Force'', in which he ...

as Frog Jack, a trader who cares about nothing but money. * David Born as Jim McNulty, leader of a small group of slave catchers (season 1) * Wayne Pere as Reverend Willowset, a southern reverend whose support Tom attempts to gain. (season 1) * David Kency as Clyde, a former slave who helps others escape on the Underground Railroad. (season 1) * William Mark McCullough as Theo, who helps the Macon 7 escape along the Underground Railroad. (season 1) * Sadie Stratton as

Patty Cannon Patty Cannon, whose birth name may have been Lucretia Patricia Hanly (c. 1759/1760 or 1769 – May 11, 1829), was an illegal slave trader, murderer and the co-leader of the Cannon–Johnson Gang of Maryland–Delaware. The group operated for a ...

, an illegal slave trader who kidnapped free blacks and fugitive slaves to sell into slavery in the South. * Michael Trotter as Elden Donohue, a biographer who plans to write Patty Cannon's life story. (season 2) *

Jesse Luken Jesse Christopher Luken (born 1983) is an American actor, producer, and writer. He is known for playing Jimmy Tolan in the FX drama series '' Justified'' and Eric in the CW science fiction romance series ''Star-Crossed''. Career Luken began his ...

as Smoke, a slave catcher in Patty Cannon's gang. (season 2) *

Cullen Moss Cullen Moss (born July 8, 1975) is an American film, television and voice actor. He is best known for his roles on '' One Tree Hill'' and ''The Notebook''. Early life Moss is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina who graduated from Mount Ta ...

as Jack, a less competent slave catcher in Patty Cannon's gang. (season 2) * Keith Arthur Bolden as Table Tapper, a preaching slave on the Rowe Plantation. (season 2) * Tyler Barnhardt as Matthew Roe, master of the Rowe Plantation. (season 2) * Marcus Hester as Gore, the overseer at the Rowe Plantation. (season 2) *

Aisha Hinds Aisha Jamila Hinds is an American television, stage and film actress. She had supporting roles in a number of television series, include ''The Shield'', '' Invasion'', '' True Blood'', ''Detroit 1-8-7'' and '' Under the Dome''. In 2016, she playe ...

Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross, March 10, 1913) was an American abolitionist and social activist. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made some 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 slaves, including family and friends, u ...

(season 2) *

Bokeem Woodbine Bokeem Woodbine (born April 13, 1973) is an American actor. In 1994 he portrayed Joshua, Jason's troubled brother, in ''Jason's Lyric''. He won a Black Reel Award, and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Critics' Choice Television Awar ...

as Daniel, a slave who teaches himself to read. (season 2) *

Indigo Indigo is a deep color close to the color wheel blue (a primary color in the RGB color space), as well as to some variants of ultramarine, based on the ancient dye of the same name. The word "indigo" comes from the Latin word ''indicum'', ...

as Bette, Daniel's wife. (season 2) * Bailey Tippen as Toosie, Daniel and Bette's daughter. (season 2) * Neko Parham as Valentine, a runaway who is injured trying to escape. (season 2) *Robert Crayton as Elijah a runaway slave trying to escape. *

Jasika Nicole Jasika Nicole Pruitt (born April 10, 1980), is an American actress and illustrator from Birmingham, Alabama. She is known for her role as Agent Astrid Farnsworth on the Fox series ''Fringe''. She has guest-starred in ''Scandal'' as Kim Munoz. She ...

as Georgia Goodman, an abolitionist who becomes friends with Elizabeth. (season 2) * Lane Miller as Lucas, an abolitionist in Georgia's group. (season 2) * Dawntavia Bullard as Emily, an abolitionist in Georgia's group. (season 2) * Rayan Lawrence as Elliot, an abolitionist in Georgia's group. (season 2) * Robert Walker-Branchaud as Thad, an abolitionist in Georgia's group. (season 2) * Rana Roy as Devi, Cato's lover. (season 2) * Alex Collins as Francis, Cato's manservant. (season 2) * DeWanda Wise as Clara, an ambitious, vengeful slave on the Rowe Plantation. (season 2) *

Robert Christopher Riley Robert Christopher Riley (born October 11, 1980) is an American film, television, and stage actor of Trinidadian and Bajan descent. He is known for his role as Terrence Wall in the VH1 television drama series '' Hit The Floor'' from 2013 to 201 ...

as Hicks, Ernestine's lover on the Rowe Plantation. (season 2) * Jordane Christie as French, Ernestine's deceased husband, Sam's father (season 2) *

John Legend John Roger Stephens (born December 28, 1978), known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and record producer. He began his musical career by working behind the scenes, playing piano on Lauryn Hill's " Eve ...

Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, February 1817 or 1818 – February 20, 1895) was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping from slavery in Maryland, he became ...

(season 2, Legend is also an executive producer on the show) *

Candice Glover Candice Rickelle Glover (born November 22, 1989) is an American R&B singer and actress who won the twelfth season of ''American Idol''. Glover is the first winner to have auditioned three times before being cast for the live shows. Her debut a ...

Gullah The Gullah () are an African American ethnic group who predominantly live in the Lowcountry region of the U.S. states of Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina, within the coastal plain and the Sea Islands. Their language and cultu ...

Woman #1 (season 2) *

Angela Bassett Angela Evelyn Bassett (born August 16, 1958) is an American actress. She had her breakthrough with her portrayal of singer Tina Turner in the biopic '' What's Love Got to Do with It'' (1993), which garnered her a nomination for the Academy Award ...

as Midwife

Production

On February 27, 2015,

gave a 10-episode straight-to-series order for the series which is created by

and

. Season one was filmed in

Baton Rouge Baton Rouge ( ; ) is a city in and the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. Located the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, it is the parish seat of East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana's most populous parish—the equivalent of counti ...

Louisiana Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states. Louisiana is bord ...

. Season two was filmed in

Savannah A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland-grassland (i.e. grassy woodland) ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to ...

Broadcast

In Canada, the show was broadcast on Bravo. Season one was made available on the Australian streaming platform, Stan, in January 2017. In the United Kingdom, the show was broadcast on

Sky1 Sky One was a British pay television channel operated and owned by Sky Group (a division of Comcast). Originally launched on 26 April 1982 as Satellite Television, it was Europe's first satellite and non- terrestrial channel. From 31 July 1989, ...

Episodes

Series overview

Season 1 (2016)

Season 2 (2017)

Critical reception

review aggregator A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews of products and services (such as films, books, video games, software, hardware, and cars). This system stores the reviews and uses them for purposes such as supporting a website where users ...

website

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wan ...

, the first season of ''Underground'' holds an approval rating of 93% with an average score of 7.3/10 based on 30 reviews. The site's critics consensus reads, "''Underground'' blends credible terror with enough compelling thrills to overcome the storyline's occasional cliches." On

Metacritic Metacritic is a website that aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created by Jason Dietz, Marc ...

, the first season has a weighted average score of 75 out of 100, based on 32 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Dan Fienberg of ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly large ...

'' gave the first season a positive review, stating that "''Underground'' is a thriller, an adventure yarn, before it's a Brussels sprouts message drama." Joshua Alston of '' The A.V. Club'' gave the series an A– and wrote: "''Underground'' benefits from its deliberate pacing. This is, after all, a heist story, except that the thieves are literally stealing their own bodies. All the components of a tense thriller are here." Mekeisha Madden Toby of ''

The Wrap ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'' praising for its story, cast and writing which makes this series worth the investment. Rotten Tomatoes reported that the second season of ''Underground'' holds an approval rating of 100%, with an average score of 7.7/10 based on 10 reviews. The site's critics consensus reads, "Anchored by terrific performances, ''Underground''s sophomore season shows no signs of slipping, tapping into the same sense of urgency without sacrificing its rich characterization." On Metacritic, the second season has a weighted average score of 79 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

References

External links

* {{Underground Railroad 2010s American drama television series 2016 American television series debuts 2017 American television series endings English-language television shows WGN America original programming Television series by Sony Pictures Television Television shows set in Georgia (U.S. state) Television series set in the 19th century Television series about the history of the United States Works about the Underground Railroad Works about American slavery