John Legend-produced show ‘Underground’ premieres Wednesday

WESTWOOD, CA - MARCH 01: (L-R) Actors Bokeem Woodbine, Alano Miller, DeWanda Wise, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Amirah Vann, Jessica de Gouw, Jasika Nicole, Aldis Hodge, Aisha Hinds, and actor/singer/executive producer John Legend attend WGN America’s “Underground” Season Two Premiere Screening at Regency Village Theatre on March 1, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for WGN America)

WESTWOOD, CA - MARCH 01: (L-R) Actors Bokeem Woodbine, Alano Miller, DeWanda Wise, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Amirah Vann, Jessica de Gouw, Jasika Nicole, Aldis Hodge, Aisha Hinds, and actor/singer/executive producer John Legend attend WGN America’s “Underground” Season Two Premiere Screening at Regency Village Theatre on March 1, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for WGN America)

After a successful and record-breaking first season, the hit television show “Underground” will begin its second season this week.

“Underground” tells the story of a group of slaves from a Georgia plantation who plan a 600-mile escape to freedom using the Underground Railroad. The show features a cast including Christopher Meloni, Mykelti Williamson and Jurnee Smollett-Bell, sister of “Empire” star Jussie Smollett.

RELATED: John Legend’s “Underground” Railroad series picked up for second season

READ MORE: Marker honors role in Underground Railroad

Springfield native John Legend serves as one of the executive producers of the show.

According to online reviewer Rotten Tomatoes, “Underground” received an average score of 93 percent and critics have given the show extremely high reviews.

During the opening weekend of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, the show held a screening, followed by a panel discussion with cast and crew.

MORE: Springfield’s connection with the new National African-American Museum

The new season of “Underground” premieres at 10 p.m. Wednesday on WGN America.

About the Author