John Legend Brings WGN’s Underground to Sundance!

Ok, I’m fully down for WGN’s upcoming show Underground, an action, adventure drama about a group of slaves trying to escape. The show has a mighty impressive group of people behind it. It is executive produced by music great John Legend and has a team that’s been involved in shows like True Blood, The Wire, Treme, Daredevil and Sons of Anarchy.  WGN is putting on the full court press ahead of it’s March 9th debut, starting with a huge debut at The Sundance Film Festival on Saturday, Jan 23rd (I’m almost tempted to fly out for this.)

In collaboration with The Blackhouse Foundation, an Institute Associate of the Sundance Film Festival, to present “The Making of WGN America’s ‘Underground,’” on Saturday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. in Park City, Utah.  Scheduled to take place at Blackhouse’s Sundance headquarters located at the Buona Vita Restaurant, 804 Main Street, Park City, the exclusive “clips and conversation” panel event will feature “Underground” executive producer John Legend, along with the cast and creative team from the hotly anticipated escape thriller set to premiere Wednesday, March 9 (10:00 p.m. ET/PT) on WGN America.  Following the panel, WGN America and John Legend will host an “Underground” party, featuring the series’ stars and producers, at David Beavis Gallery, 314 Main St., Park City.

An exploration of a pulse-pounding journey about the revolutionaries of the Underground Railroad, the series’ cast and creators will delve into the inspiration and strategy behind the development and production of the cable network’s latest original.  Featured on “The Making of WGN America’s Underground” panel are: executive producer John Legend, creators and executive producers Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, executive producers Akiva Goldsman, Tory Tunnell and Mike Jackson and executive producer and director of the first four episodes, Anthony Hemingway.  Joining the executive producers are stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell (“True Blood,” “Friday Night Lights”), Aldis Hodge (“Straight Outta Compton”), Jessica de Gouw (“Arrow,” “Dracula”), and Alano Miller (“Jane The Virgin”), with Blackhouse Foundation chairman Brickson Diamond serving as moderator.

“Independent spirit is at the heart of both ‘Underground’ and the Sundance Film Festival, and we are thrilled to be partnering with Blackhouse to bring the dynamic world of ‘Underground’ and the artists who created it together with the festival community which supports provocative, authentic voices,” said Matt Cherniss, President and General Manager, WGN America and Tribune Studios.

“WGN America’s ‘Underground’ is the perfect realization of the dream of Blackhouse – expanding distribution platforms to create opportunities for a new generation of storytellers to reflect our histories and lives in ways the entertainment industry didn’t even think was possible,” said Diamond.

“Underground” follows a group of courageous men and women who use their ingenuity, power and perseverance to attempt the greatest escape in history and break free, despite the dire consequences that awaited them on the other side.  The story follows a courageous blacksmith Noah (Aldis Hodge) who covertly organizes a small group of his fellow slaves and pieces together a daring plan of escape across hundreds of miles to freedom.  The odds of success are razor-thin for those who make it off the plantation, while the risks, dangers and obstacles multiply each step of the way.

“Underground” is created by Misha Green (“Sons Of Anarchy,” “Heroes”) and Joe Pokaski (“Daredevil,” “Heroes,”) who executive produce alongside Academy Award-winner Akiva Goldsman (“A Beautiful Mind,” “I Am Legend”) of Weed Road Pictures; and Joby Harold (“King Arthur,” “Edge of Tomorrow“) and Tory Tunnell (“King Arthur,” “Holy Rollers”) of Safehouse Pictures.  Visionary artist and producer John Legend, an Academy Award, Golden Globe^® and multi-Grammy Award winner, and his Get Lifted partners Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius executive produce.  Additionally, Get Lifted oversees all elements of the show’s music.  Anthony Hemingway (“The Wire,” “Treme”) directs and serves as executive producer for the first four episodes.