“Underground” Canceled, OWN & BET Decline To Pick Up Show

“Underground” Canceled

Sad news for “Underground” fans. The hit series has officially been canceled. A few weeks ago, we reported that the period drama was in jeopardy of being axed.

And today (May May 30th), WGN America passed on a third season. Tribune Media president and CEO Peter Kern confirmed the news stating:

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.

As previously reported, in the wake of parent company Tribune Media’s $3.9 billion planned acquisition by Sinclair Broadcast Group, the cable network is ending high-cost scripted originals. Reportedly, the acclaimed series costs $5 million per episode and already has an SVOD deal with Hulu, which was a complicating factor in finding a new home. According to a report, BET and OWN declined to pick up the show, due to its expensive cost.

Underground is a TV period drama series created by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski about the Underground Railroad in Antebellum Georgia. The show debuted March 9, 2016, on WGN America.

The show starred: Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Aldis Hodge, Jessica De Gouw, Alano Miller, Christopher Meloni and Amirah Vann. The cast also includes Christopher Backus, Marc Blucas, Reed Diamond, James Lafferty, Amirah Vann, Bokeem Woodbine, Aisha Hinds, Jasika Nicole, Michael Trotter, Jesse Luken, Sadie Stratton, and Robert Christopher Riley.

Are you sad to see ‘Underground’ go? 

Follow us: @theJasmineBRAND on Twitter | theJasmineBRAND on Facebook| theJasmineBRAND_ on Instagram