WGN America announced on Monday that they had renewed its hit show Underground for a second season.

The renewal comes after the series had been averaging over 1 million views per episode in live same day ratings and 3 million viewers in live seven-day ratings. It is the sixth highest-rated scripted series premiere of any cable drama this season. The President and General Manager of WGN America and Tribune Studios made an announcement today via a press release.

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“With enormous pride we are announcing a second season of ‘Underground,’ a series that has resonated with so many passionate fans across the country,” said Cherniss. “We are deeply proud of the work that the talented cast, crew and production team have done to bring this story to life, led by our gifted creators Misha Green and Joe Pokaski and our partners at Sony Pictures Television. It is an honor to have ‘Underground’ on our air and we look forward to how the story will unfold in what is sure to be a stellar sophomore season.”

Underground is a show about enslaved and free American heroes who try to escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad. The second season, which will be comprised of ten episodes, will begin production during the summer for a 2017 debut.

This show is executive produced by Misha Green, Joe Pokaski, Akiva Goldsman, Tory Tunnell, Joby Harold, Mike Jackson, Ty Stiklorius, Anthony Hemingway, and John Legend who had a lot to say about the renewal.

“Underground isn’t just a television show. It’s a movement. It is storytelling at its finest, and the brilliant work that Misha, Joe and our cast have done to infuse Underground with the kind of passion that’s made it part of the zeitgeist is incredible. 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. Thanks to everyone at WGN America, Sony Pictures Television and my Get Lifted partners Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius for putting their hearts and souls into ‘Underground.’ We look forward to a spectacular season two.”

The amazing cast of the newly renewed television show include Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Rosalee, Aldis Hodge as Noah, Christopher Meloni as August Pullman, Alano Miller as Cato, Jessica de Gouw as Elizabeth Hawkes, Marc Blucas as John Hawkes, Adina Porter as Pearly Mae, Mykelti Williamson as Moses, Amirah Vann as Ernestine, Johnny Ray Gill as Sam, Chris Chalk as William Still, Reed Diamond as Tom Macon, Theodus Crane as Zeke, James Lafferty as U.S. Marshall Kyle Risdin, Renwick Scott as Henry and Jussie Smollett as Josey.

(Photo by Harmony Gerber/Getty Images)