Oscar and Golden Globe winner John Legend has signed on to executive produce and score the soundtrack for the upcoming WGN America’s pulse-pounding slave thriller, Underground.
Legend is joined by his Get Lifted partner Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius, who will oversee all musical aspects of the series.
Underground is an original scripted series that takes center stage as plantation slaves band together in the fight of their lives for their families, their future … and most importantly, their freedom.
Hailing from Sony Pictures Television and Tribune Studios, Underground is currently in production in Baton Rouge, LA, for a 2016 premiere on WGN America.
“We are excited to join forces with WGN America and Sony and the talented team of writers and producers on this powerful project that we believe will inspire us all,” Legend said. “This series has a unique opportunity to speak to the passion and courage of those who risked it all as they raced to freedom. We are honored to bring our creative vision to this thrilling project.”
Legend most recently won an Oscar alongside rapper Common for Best Original Song “Glory” from Selma.
Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Jussee Smollett, Christopher Meloni, Aldis Hodge, Adina Porter, Alano Miller, and Mykelti Williamson round out the cast for the series.
Underground is created and written by Misha Green (Sons of Anarchy, Heroes) and Joe Pokaski (Heroes, Daredevil), who serve as Executive Producers alongside Academy Award-winning writer Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind, I Am Legend) of Weed Road Pictures and John Legend, Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius of Get Lifted. Anthony Hemingway (The Wire, Treme) directs and serves as Executive Producer for the first four episodes.