WGN America, home of Manhattan and Salem, is debuting a new series in the new year focusing on the story of the Underground Railroad. The series comes from Misha Green (Sons of Anarchy), Joe Pokaski (Daredevil), and is also executive produced by John Legend (who will handle the score, soundtrack and all music elements of the series); it will revolve around a group of slaves on a plantation who band together to fight for their freedom. As WGN puts it,

“Underground” tells the story of revolutionaries who use their ingenuity, power and perseverance to attempt the greatest escape in history despite the dire consequences that awaited them on the other side.

Or as the trailer puts it, armed with a Bible and a gun: “When we run, ain’t no white man going to be able to stop us.” Check out the first teaser trailer below (which, like Manhattan, is stylishly shot and full of restive energy).

The series will debut on WGN America in early 2016. You can check out all of the character descriptions and posters here, as well as the new character posters below.

Underground stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell (Friday Night Lights), Aldis Hodge (Straight Outta Compton), Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: SVU), Alano Miller (Jane The Virgin), ‎Jessica de Gouw (Arrow), Marc Blucas (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), ‎Adina Porter (The 100), Mykelti Williamson (Justified), ‎Amirah Vann (Girls), Johnny Ray Gill (Rectify), Chris Chalk (Gotham), Reed Diamond (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.),Theodus Crane (The Walking Dead), Renwick Scott (Treme) and Jussie Smollett (Empire).