Underground: Season 2 renewal ordered by WGN America

Freshman drama Underground is getting a second season, WGN America announced Monday.

The Underground Railroad-inspired series, executive-produced by John Legend, follows a group of African-Americans as they make their daring escape from slavery, and the various people that either help or hinder them along the way. Underground stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Aldis Hodge as two runaway slaves leading the journey to freedom, Jessica de Gouw and Marc Blucas as white abolitionists attempting to help runaway slaves in secret, and Christopher Meloni as a morally conflicted bounty hunter.

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“Underground isn’t just a television show. It’s a movement,” said Legend in a statement. “This show does so much more than entertain, it inspires us to reflect on our past and learn from those mistakes to make a brighter future for our children.”

Legend’s influence on Underground can be clearly felt in the show’s soundtrack, which features anachronistic music from artists like Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, and The Weeknd. The modern hip-hop elements underline the highly stylized quality of the period drama, making the story set in the 19th century feel current. And with the recent news that Harriet Tubman’s face is set to be printed on the $20 bill, Underground‘s themes are more relevant than ever.

Underground‘s first season finale will air Wednesday, May 11 at 10 p.m. ET on WGN America.