First Look Trailer of 'Underground' Will Premiere at 2015 Essence Festival

he cast and creators of WGN America's highly anticipated, pulse-pounding original series "Underground" will unveil a first-look trailer and participate in a panel session at the 2015 Essence Festival in New Orleans. Series' stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell ("Friday Night Lights," "True Blood," "The Great Debaters"), Aldis Hodge ("Straight Outta Compton," "Leverage," "Turn"), Jessica de Gouw ("Arrow," "Dracula") and Alano Miller ("Jane The Virgin") will join creators, writers and executive producers Misha Green ("Sons of Anarchy," "Heroes") and Joe Pokaski ("Heroes," "CSI") on the Center Stage at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Friday, July 3 from 12:45 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. in a not-to-be-missed "Underground" experience for Essence Festival attendees.

In WGN America's "Underground," bravery, ingenuity and power take center stage as slaves band together in the fight of their lives for their families, their future... and their freedom. Hailing from Sony Pictures Television and Tribune Studios, "Underground" is currently in production on a straight-to-series order in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for a 2016 premiere on WGN America.

WGN America Expands Original Programming Slate with 'Titans' and 'Underground'

Expanding its slate of original programming, WGN America today announced its next straight-to-series order for the scripted drama Titans, and the start of pre-production and a writers' room, with an eye toward a series order, for the scripted series Underground. Both series will be produced by Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and Tribune Studios for an expected 2015 premiere.

"These projects, each exploring a world we find to be unique and fascinating, continue our aggressive expansion into original scripted programming," said Matt Cherniss, president and general manager, WGN America and Tribune Studios. "Everyone at WGN America is pleased to enter this next phase of our growth with Sony Pictures Television as an important partner on these projects, along with such talented creators and producers."