Underground‘s Jurnee Smollett-Bell Returns to HBO With Lead Role in Lovecraft Country

After the abrupt cancellation of acclaimed cult series Underground, Jurnee Smollett-Bell is back with a new starring role in the much-talked-about Jordan Peele/J.J. Abrams/Misha Green project Lovecraft Country, as reported by Shadow and Act.

The new role will bring Smollett-Bell back to HBO after True Blood left the air in 2014—she was a series regular on its last two seasons. After being a top prospect during the broadcast pilot season, the acclaimed actress will play Letitia “Leti” Dandridge, whose character bio describes her as a young woman “who hustled her way across the country as an artist protesting for civil rights who now finds herself back home looking to plant some roots.”

Not only does the series mark Smollett-Bell’s return to HBO, but it reunites her with Underground showrunner Misha Green, who wrote and executive produces the supernatural racial drama series. Lovecraft Country is based on Matt Ruff’s 2016 novel of the same name.

No further casting news or premiere date is known for the anticipated series. [Disclosure: Paste Contributing Movies Editor Shannon Houston is a writer on Lovecraft Country.]

With so many big names involved, the series could be the next big hit for HBO.