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Sundance: John Legend, Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Aldis Hodge Join ‘Underground’ Creator and Director

Updated: Feb 24, 2023



(pictured from left to right): The Blackhouse Foundation Chairman Brickson Diamond, 'Underground' Executive Producer/Director Anthony Hemingway, 'Underground' Producer and Actor John Legend, 'Underground' Stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Aldis Hodge and "Underground" Co-Creator and Co-Executive Producer Misha Green at "Underground Clips and Conversation." (photo credit: Arayna Eison/Arayna Eison Photography)

(January 22, 2017, Park City, UT) – 'Underground' executive producer and Academy Award winner John Legend, along with series’ stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell (“Rosalee”) and Aldis Hodge (“Noah”) joined series’ co-creator and executive producer Misha Green ("Sons of Anarchy," "Heroes") and executive producer, director and Emmy Award winner Anthony Hemingway (“The People v. O.J. Simpson,” “Treme”) for a creative discussion at The Blackhouse Foundation at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival on Saturday, Jan. 21. The discussion focused on the production and themes of the highly anticipated second season of WGN America’s hit series “Underground,” including Legend’s guest-starring role as Frederick Douglass. The “Clips and Conversation” event also included several exclusive clips from “Underground” season two. This was the second year The Blackhouse Foundation and WGN America have partnered to bring Blackhouse guests with an intimate opportunity to engage the cast and creative team from the Underground Railroad thriller.


'Underground' Executive Producer/Director Anthony Hemingway, 'Underground' Producer and Actor John Legend, 'Underground' Stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Aldis Hodge and "Underground" Co-Creator and Co-Executive Producer Misha Green at "Underground Clips and Conversation." (photo credit: Arayna Eison/Arayna Eison Photography)

“We’re thrilled we were once again able to work with WGN America to create such a special space for Blackhouse friends and family to engage with the ‘Underground’ team,” says Blackhouse Foundation Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder Brickson Diamond. “These are the sorts of experiences that make Sundance so special.”

The second season of “Underground” premieres Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on WGN America.

The Blackhouse Foundation works to expand opportunities for Black content creators by providing pathways to opportunities within film, television, digital and emerging platforms. Blackhouse provides opportunities for minority creative to learn about the financial, production, marketing and distribution resources that will raise the profile of their content, while also providing participants with a nucleus for continuing support, community and education.

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