Underground
The latest must see TV is the WGN America original series “Underground”. The series stars Aldis Hodge as Noah, a blacksmith who gathers a small group of his fellow slaves and hatches an escape plan on the historic Underground Railroad. Rosalee (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), plays a house slave who summons up every ounce of courage and bravery she has to gain her freedom on this do or die mission. Mykelti Williamson, Reed Diamond, and Christopher Meloni also star. This series takes a bold and perhaps never before seen approach to slavery, and turns it on its’ head. It’s not the traditional slave narrative we’ve seen time and time again on screen. There’s definitely something different here, from the approach, to the music, to the storyline, to the camerawork. There’s a freshness about “Underground” that is also unmistakably refreshing.
The series explores a myriad of characters with obvious differences in not only opinion, but temperament, compassion, and intent. We see everything from slaveholders, to abolishionists, to bounty hunters in this heart gripping drama. “It’s full of intrigue, stories of heroism and courage, danger and suspense, and I thought it would be great television,” said John Legend, executive producer of “Underground”. The Oscar-winning singer-songwriter, who studied English with a concentration in African-American literature and culture, said he was drawn to the project by prior knowledge of the period and the events it portrays. “I’m excited by the idea of bringing this under-told story to life,” Legend said. “It’s such an exciting story about the first integrated civil rights movement in American history and the fight to abolish slavery.”You want it to be dramatically powerful but also honest to the time period,” he added. Legend also credits “Underground” creators Misha Green and Joe Pokaski for their painstaking research that included many slave narratives. “There’s really so much intrigue in the truth,” he said. The cast makes the most of characters who – whether sympathetic or despicable – are complex and interesting, and even figures who the audience will see as villains, if you don’t end up agreeing with the way they behave, you at least see their perspective.”
What does Legend want viewers to take away from the series? “I want them to be inspired,” he said. “I want them to see the courage of slaves who defied the odds and did something that was truly dangerous and who risked their lives to be free.” Ironically, in experiencing “Underground”, one might take a step back and realize the more some things change, the more others stay the same. With all that could be said about a series such as this, hopefully all will view it with open eyes as well as an open mind. Moreover, let’s hope this series will start some much needed conversations and dialogue about our American history and even possibly heal some festering wounds of the not so distant past. Simply put, the struggle continues for those both above ground and underground.
Darryl Rembert
“Underground” airs Sundays on WGN America. Watch the full trailer:
