WGN America's "Underground" is a different take on a traditional slave drama

CHICAGO -- The Windy City got an exclusive look at WGN America's highly anticipated new series called, "Underground" on Tuesday evening, February 9th.

The new show tells the story of a fictional group of slaves who band together to escape their plantation.

The show's main character is played by actor Aldis Hodge.

Co-star Jurnee Smollett Bell, says the show is a different take on a traditional slave drama. She talked a little bit about her character.

"Rosalee has never been more than two steps off the plantation and I think she's in the midst of an awakening," Smollett Bell said. "She's realizing that this is no kind of life. And even though her mother has trained her to kind of keep her head down and just do her work, you know, the dreams and ambitions won't be silenced."

"Underground" premieres on Wednesday, March 9th at 9 p.m. on WGN America. That's channel 9 on Time-Warner Cable, channel 307 on DirecTV and channel 180 on AT&T U-Verse.