MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Inside Memphis City Hall, Hollywood stars smile for the cameras with fans, politicians and even police top brass.
Amirah Vann co-stars in the WGN America TV series called Underground.
“It’s quite a thrill ride for us, and to have all our Memphis family believe in it is a thrill and honor for us,” Vann said.
Vann, along with fellow actors Aldis Hodge and Alano Miller, stars in Underground.
They’re here to say thank you to Memphis fans. Memphis is Underground‘s highest-rated TV market in America.
“There are so many things you strive for in your career, and something like this let’s you know you’re hitting that pinnacle,” Hodge said.
“What an honor to be able to come to such a fine city and share with the number one market and get a day. A day? Come on,” Miller said, laughing.
In fact, Tuesday, May 10, was declared “Underground Day” by Mayor Jim Strickland.
“Some of that railroad went through Memphis, and it’s important for us to know our history,” Strickland said.
The critically acclaimed thriller is about the brave men and women who sought to escape slavery and those who helped them.
Memphian Rita Cooper Lee is the senior vice president of communications for WGN America and Tribune Media, WREG’s parent company.
“It’s an incredibly special honor and momentous occasion for WGN America and Tribune Studios, for Memphis to be celebrating Underground and the courage of the men and women of the Underground Railroad,” Cooper Lee said.
This is a homecoming, if you will, for Underground. It kicked off its awareness program in Memphis last year at the National Civil Rights Museum.
The museum hosted an exclusive screening and panel discussion with the stars and producers.
Faith Morris is with the National Civil Rights Museum.
“It’s engaged a multicultural audience, the actors are young telling a story that’s centuries old, but they’re doing it a way that’s compelling,” Morris said.
Underground is a groundbreaking TV series about America’s past and a story that’s engaging viewers today.
The NCRM is hosting Memphis Fan Appreciation event Tuesday night. You can watch the season finale of Underground Wednesday at 9 p.m. Central time.
