WGN’s hit show “Underground” returns for season 2 on Wednesday, March 8.
Watch what writers/creators Misha Green and Joe Pokaski and director/producer Anthony Hemingway had to say about working on the show.
I just want to congratulate you both on another exciting season. Tell us, what can fans expect?
Joe: Man, if season one was about running for your life to get north to freedom, season two is about the north ain’t that safe and things are about to get more dangerous.
Can you speak about your collaborative process, as writers and creators?
Misha: Yeah, I mean, we met on Heroes. We wrote a script together then. It’s that kind of thing when you write stuff with other people, where they like move a coma. You’re like, what the … What are they doing? What’s happening? We got through all that and worked well. Then, we did the show. I think on this show, what we try to do is go, what’s the worst story? Let’s try to make it the best and then keep doing that, and keep going back and forth. See what we get.
This season we see Harriet Tubman. We see Frederick Douglass. How important was it for you guys to incorporate these real people within the story?
Joe: It was important. I mean, they were very involved. I mean, we definitely wanted to start season one with these brand new people, so you can see yourself in these heroes. It was kind of amazing, when you’re telling the story of the Underground Railroad, you need to touch on Harriet and how important she was. Kind of the debate happening between Frederick Douglass, and William Still, and Harriet Tubman.
You have worked on Red Tails, People vs. O.J. Simpson, Underground. Can you speak about what attracts you to shows rooted in history or art rooted in history?
Anthony Hemingway: I honestly have to say, it’s not me. It’s bigger than me. I just love the opportunity to be a part of all these amazing stories and experiences. I’m just one that’s constantly wanting to use my artistry and my art form to serve a purpose. To be done with meaning or not be in vain at the end of the day. It’s beautiful that we can find these healing mechanisms that I think really contribute to us today as a whole. It’s something that really, they find me. I wish I could take credit for it, but I can’t.
Can you speak about collaborating with John Legend? Obviously, he’s a producer on the show. He does original music, which we got to hear yesterday. Also, he’s acting. Speak about working with him in those capacities.
Misha: Collaborating with John is amazing. You see this guy and you’re just like, how do you do all these things and then your such a cool person on top of that. I think that when we first talked about Frederick Douglass, there was no one else we had in mind. We called him and we’re like, “So, John, we know you’re busy, but maybe you want it.” He was like, “Oh, I’m totally in.” It was so exciting to see him on the other side of the camera too.
Fans love the relationship between Rosalee and Noah. What can we expect this season from it? It just seems so tumultuous.
Joe: It is. I mean, we start the season off with Noah is still in jail and Rosalee needing the break him out. I think, like most good love stories, we make it difficult, but they rise to the occasion.
What inspired the Rosalee character?
Misha: I think it was a lot of the research. We found this letter from an enslaved girl, in which she was talking about to run or not to run. I think that kind of cracked it open for both of us. We’re like, oh, my God like, this debate was happening. To even step off the plantation is such a big thing. That’s for us where Rosalee started. We knew that we wanted her to go from this girl who was too afraid to step off the plantation to one who’s like, I’m going back and I’m going to rescue my family.
Joe: Yeah. I think season one Jurnee helped us tell this superhero origin story. This person who didn’t want to be hero. Who are stress into it and found that she was good at it.
What’s next for you guys as creators and writers?
Misha: Underground season three.
Joe: Yeah, exactly. I hope to get out of post in Underground season two someday. Yeah. Underground season three, there’s still so much story to tell.
