Underground Canceled At WGN America

WGN America has canceled the critically acclaimed drama Underground after two seasons as part of their move away from scripted programming. The drama, from Sony Pictures Television, is currently looking for a new home, although BET and OWN have both reportedly passed.

Underground followed the lives of runaway slaves and abolitionists on the Underground Railroad in the years before the Civil War. Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Aldis Hodge, Jessica De Gouw, Alano Miller, Amirah Vann, Marc Blucas and Christopher Meloni starred in the drama, which received a lot of buzz earlier this year after an impressive performance from Aisha Hinds as Harriet Tubman.

"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," Tribune Media president and CEO Peter Kern said in a statement on Tuesday. (via The Hollywood Reporter) "We are tremendously proud of this landmark series that captured the zeitgeist and made an impact on television in a way never seen before on the medium." 

"We thank the incomparable creators Misha Green and Joe Pokaski and the great [executive producer] John Legend, along with the talented creative team and cast who brought the unsung American heroes of the Underground Railroad to life," he continued. "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."

Legend, who showed up in season two as Frederick Douglass, also Tweeted a message of hope for Underground fans, writing, "We will find a new home for #Underground! 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!" Green added, "We appreciate the outpouring of fan support. & we're determined to find a new network for #Underground!!!"

While we wait to see if Underground lands at a new home, see some other TV shows that were canceled for dumb reasons.