After only two seasons, WGN America has officially canceled the critically acclaimed drama Underground. After filming it’s second season in Savannah, Georgia, TV executives have decided to pull the plug on the slavery TV series.
“As WGN America evolves and broadens the scope and scale of its portfolio of series, we recently announced that resources would 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,” said Tribune Media President and CEO Peter Kern on the removal of Underground from future plans. “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.”
WGN America, who was recently purchased by Sinclair Broadcast Group, tried to get into the scripted TV business. Salem, Outsiders, and Manhattan were all attempts at original programming on WGN. Underground is the final TV series of the initial programming era of WGN. That said, executive John Legend has not given hope and also had a warning for TV viewers about the network’s new owner. On Twitter legend shared his thoughts on the fate of the network’s new owner.
“WGN America has been bought and is going a different direction strategically. We will find a new home for #Underground!” John Legend explained on Twitter.
“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! Be wary of Sinclair though. They’re trying to make local stations Mini Fox Newses, but more to the right.”
