It’s curtains for WGN America‘s ‘Underground.’
For, after just two seasons the cable network has confirmed that the popular series will not be back for a third.
The move has come as a surprise to many given that the show was a strong performer in the ratings.
Its cancellation has little to do with numbers though.
See, WGN is going through a brand overhaul and ‘Underground’ – a slave drama – does not fit said agenda. Peep the statement from the CEO Peter Kern below:
“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. This move is designed to deliver additional value for our advertising and distribution partners and offer viewers more original content across our air.
“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 at writing, both OWN and Hulu are said to be interested in picking up the show. However, some feel its hefty per-episode production price may count against it.
Still, as always in entertainment, never say never.
We love the series and are crossing our fingers that it finds residence at another channel.
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So in other words, WGN is looking to appeal to more white people and Underground would turn them off. This is exactly what CW did when UPN and WB merged, getting rid of all the black sitcoms. I will never watch WGN ever again!
I don’t think this is a racial thing. Did you even read the article? WGN got bought out and the company that bought WGN is into a news and reality tv channel. All of WGN’s sitcoms got cancelled, including the Outsiders, not just the black one. For months now the new CEO has been whining and this is a direct quote:
“The ratings WGN America (delivers) doesn’t justify the type of spending they do on the original programming side. The channel could be run much more profitably on a fraction of what they spend on programming.”
Whaaaaat??!!! I looked forward to this every Wednesday!!!!
BET or OWN better pick this up with same production and writers.
Or Netflicks cause they got cash
Come through, OWN. This was a brilliant show. “Hefty per-episode product price . . . ?” They spent half of every episode outside in the woods. But I do know they had to spend a mint on the period costumes.
I just learned that Emerald City was cancelled too. Anybody else here watch?
It was becoming too revolutionary with it’s storytelling. Women characters lead this, the baddest chicks are black women pulling guns on white men. They couldnt take that. Sucks funkyvballs WGN! They do the show wrong w/ streaming anyway. Netflix needs to pick this up, and replace some of the crap.
HBO should pick this up or FX. Either network could continue this show right.