John Legend, Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Aldis Hodge to Participate in Panel Event in Park City, UT and
Exclusive “Underground” Party, Saturday, January 23
“Underground” To Premiere Wednesday, March 9 at 10 PM ET/PT on WGN America
Los Angeles, January 12, 2016 — WGN America announced today a first-time collaboration with The Blackhouse Foundation, an Institute Associate of the Sundance Film Festival, to present “The Making of WGN America’s ‘Underground,’” on Saturday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. in Park City, Utah. Scheduled to take place at Blackhouse’s Sundance headquarters located at the Buona Vita Restaurant, 804 Main Street, Park City, the exclusive “clips and conversation” panel event will feature “Underground” executive producer John Legend, along with the cast and creative team from the hotly anticipated escape thriller set to premiere Wednesday, March 9 (10:00 p.m. ET/PT) on WGN America. Following the panel, WGN America and John Legend will host an “Underground” party, featuring the series’ stars and producers, at David Beavis Gallery, 314 Main St., Park City.
(L – R): Executive producer Akiva Goldsman, creators/writers/executive producers Joe Pokaski and Misha Green, executive producers John Legend and Mike Jackson, executive producer/director Anthony Hemingway
An exploration of a pulse-pounding journey about the revolutionaries of the Underground Railroad, the series’ cast and creators will delve into the inspiration and strategy behind the development and production of the cable network’s latest original. Featured on “The Making of WGN America’s Underground” panel are: executive producer John Legend, creators and executive producers Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, executive producers Akiva Goldsman, Tory Tunnell and Mike Jackson and executive producer and director of the first four episodes, Anthony Hemingway. Joining the executive producers are stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell (“True Blood,” “Friday Night Lights”), Aldis Hodge (“Straight Outta Compton”), Jessica de Gouw(“Arrow,” “Dracula”), and Alano Miller (“Jane The Virgin”), with Blackhouse Foundation chairman Brickson Diamond serving as moderator.
Actors Christopher Meloni and Alano Miller, executive producer/director Anthony Hemingway, actors Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Amirah Vann, Jessica de Gouw and Aldis Hodge.
“Independent spirit is at the heart of both ‘Underground’ and the Sundance Film Festival, and we are thrilled to be partnering with Blackhouse to bring the dynamic world of ‘Underground’ and the artists who created it together with the festival community which supports provocative, authentic voices,” said Matt Cherniss, President and General Manager, WGN America and Tribune Studios.
“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® 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.
