John Legend To Play Abolitionist Frederick Douglass In ‘Underground’ Season 2Posted by Wilson Morales
September 30, 2016
Source: Deadline
Oscar and Golden Globe winner and 10-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter John Legend is set to play abolitionist Frederick Douglass in Season 2 of WGN America’s hit series, Underground, where he also serves as one of the executive producers.
It will be a guest starring role as Season 2 is in production in Savannah, GA, for premiere in early 2017 on WGN America.
Born into slavery, Douglass refused to let his circumstance determine his future. After he daringly escaped bondage in Maryland, he went on to become one of the most revolutionary leaders of the 19th century. A prominent writer, celebrated speaker and progressive political reformist, Douglass was a beacon of hope for many and a symbol of remarkable resilience.
WGN America has already announced that Aisha Hinds will have a recurring role as Harriet Tubman, along with Chris Chalk as abolitionist William Still and Sadie Stratton as the notorious slave trader Patty Cannon. Other new members of the cast include Jasika Nicole as Georgia, an abolitionist with a covert station along the Underground; Michael Trotter as Biographer, an astute observer of people; and Jesse Luken as Smoke, the second in command of an infamous slave-catcher gang.
Amirah Vann, who plays Rosalee’s mother Ernestine, has been promoted to series regular, up from her recurring role in season 1.
The 10-episode new season follows an unremitting struggle for freedom within a divided America on the brink of civil war, each side vying to enact their own justice.
Legend also stars in and executive produces the upcoming feature La La Land, opposite Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone and he recently executive produced the feature Southside with You.
Underground is created and written by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, who serve as executive producers alongside Emmy-nominated director Anthony Hemingway, Oscar-winning writer Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind) of Weed Road Pictures; Tory Tunnell (King Arthur, Holy Rollers) and Joby Harold (King Arthur, Edge of Tomorrow) of Safehouse Pictures; and Legend, Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius of Get Lifted Film Co; and Mark Taylor (MadTV).
