Special screening: White House hosts preview of WGN America's new series, "Underground"

WASHINGTON -- The White House hosted a special screening on Monday evening, February 22nd -- in honor of Black History Month. President Obama and his staff got a preview of WGN America's new series, "Underground." It is produced by ten-time Grammy recording artist John Legend.

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, channel 180 on AT&T U-Verse and channel 239 on Dish Network.