The ‘Roots’ Remake Premieres on History Channel

On Memorial Day (May 30th), the HIstory Channel premiered it’s remake of the miniseries Roots, which originally aired in 1977. When it originally ran on ABC alost 40 years ago, Roots was one of the most-watched events in U.S. television history, with the eighth and final night drawing about 100 million viewers.

History Channel is retelling this eight-hour story of Kunta Kinte, the African man sold into slavery in the 1700s, over a period of four consecutive days – the first of which was yesterday. There’s a lot of excitement about it as this retelling looks to be a lot more entertaining but still as effective in telling the story the origininal miniseries did.

Nearly 40 years ago I had the privilege to be a part of an epic television event that started an important conversation in America. I am incredibly proud to be a part of this new retelling and start the dialogue again, at a time when it is needed more than ever,

• Co-Executive Producer, LeVar Burton

I think this remake couldn’t have come at a better time. With everything going on in the world right now, we need such stories retold from a new mindset and point of view.According to lead actress Anika Noni Rose, the Roots remake will be largely beneficial to children of colour in the United States today, because a lot of them “don’t really know the history of the United States”. A lot of shows make references to the riginal series and to Kunta Kinte, but a good number of people have never actually watched the show. Personally, I’m excited about the experience.

Roots has an A-List cast which includes Forest Whitaker, Anna Paquin, Laurence Fishburne, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anika Noni Rose, Tip “T.I.” Harris, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Matthew Goode, Mekhi Phifer, James Purefoy, Regé-Jean Page and Malachi Kirby as Kunta Kinte himself.

The remaining three episodes will air on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9 pPM on The History Channel, Lifetime, and A+E.

Watche the full-length Roots trailer –

https://youtu.be/ZZwaqFhs9fo