WGN America’s slave narrative series Underground has been canceled after just two seasons. Today (May 30), the network announced that a third season was a no go.
Reports the Hollywood Reporter:
In the wake of parent company Tribune Media’s $3.9 billion planned acquisition by Sinclair Broadcast Group, the cable network’s future as a destination for high-end scripted originals is over. And that includes the pricey and critically lauded slave drama produced by Sony Pictures Television. Season two of the series, from executive producer John Legend, wrapped May 10.
“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. We are tremendously proud of this landmark series that captured the zeitgeist and made an impact on television in a way never before seen on the medium,” Tribune Media president and CEO Peter Kern said Tuesday in a statement.
Reportedly, Legend and the rest of his team are scrambling to find another network home for the series.
Interestingly, word is that both BET and OWN have passed on picking up the series.
Those high production costs with decent ratings, despite critical claim, is usually a bad combination. See the cancellation of Netflix’s The Get Down for another such example.
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Photo: Courtesy of WGN America
