WGN AMERICA UNVEILS MARCH 9 PREMIERE DATE AND FIRST TRAILERS FOR "UNDERGROUND," THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED UNDERGROUND RAILROAD ESCAPE THRILLER FROM CREATORS AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS MISHA GREEN AND JOE POKASKI AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, ACADEMY AWARD(R)-WINNER JOHN LEGEND

THE HIGH-STAKES ORIGINAL SERIES STARS JURNEE SMOLLETT-BELL, ALDIS HODGE, CHRIS MELONI, JESSICA DE GOUW AND ALANO MILLER

#BreakFreeWGN

Los Angeles, December 14, 2015 -- WGN America announced today that "Underground," the highly-anticipated original series, will premiere Wednesday, March 9. The network also revealed the first two trailers in support of the escape thriller, a series that takes viewers on a pulse-pounding journey with revolutionaries of the Underground Railroad. From creators and executive producers Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, and executive producer and Academy Award-winner John Legend, the 10-episode, hour-long program stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Aldis Hodge, and 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. "Underground" is produced by Sony Pictures Television and Tribune Studios.

In WGN America's "Underground," a courageous blacksmith Noah (Aldis Hodge) 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" features an acclaimed cast, including Jurnee Smollett-Bell ("True Blood," "Friday Night Lights"), Aldis Hodge ("Straight Outta Compton"), Christopher Meloni ("Sin City: A Dame to Kill For"), Alano Miller ("Jane The Virgin"), ?Jessica de Gouw ("Arrow," "Dracula"), Marc Blucas ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), ?Adina Porter ("The 100"), Mykelti Williamson ("Justified," "24"), ?Amirah Vann ("Girls," "And So It Goes"), Johnny Ray Gill ("Rectify"), Chris Chalk ("Gotham"), Reed Diamond ("Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."), Theodus Crane ("The Walking Dead"), Renwick Scott ("Treme") and Jussie Smollett ("Empire").

"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(R) 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.

Prior to the premiere of "Underground," WGN America will launch its newest original drama "Outsiders" on Tuesday, January 26. Additionally, the second season finale of the network's Emmy Award(R)-winning series "Manhattan" will air Tuesday, December 15.

Follow the series @UndergroundWGN -- #BreakFreeWGN

About WGN America

WGN America, the flagship entertainment network of Tribune Media Company is nationally distributed in 73 million homes via cable, satellite and telco, with high-quality entertainment programming including the breakout hit series "Salem," Emmy-Award-winning drama "Manhattan," and upcoming scripted dramas "Outsiders" and "Underground." The network also brings its audience a strong slate of popular first-run syndicated series and blockbuster movies. Through Tribune Studios, the creative development arm of Tribune Media, original content is produced for WGN America and Tribune local stations nationwide. Follow the network on Twitter @wgnamerica. For additional information, please visit www.wgnamerica.com. Follow: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/UndergroundWGN Twitter https://twitter.com/undergroundwgn