“Roots”
History Channel has remade the 1977 miniseries “Roots.” The new production premieres Monday, May 30, at 9 p.m. EDT. Above are Forest Whitaker as Fiddler and Malachi Kirby as Kunta Kinte. History Channel, “Roots”

History Channel is rolling out a “Roots” remake this Memorial Day weekend, and it’s sure to be amazing. Airing four consecutive days, the miniseries is directed by Phillip Noyce and features an all-star cast of actors, ranging from Forest Whitaker to Anna Paquin. Given the wild popularity of the original miniseries in 1977, History Channel is anticipating a large viewership. Below is a bit about the “Roots” storyline, as well as when and where to watch it.

“Roots” chronicles the life of Gambian warrior Kunta Kinte (Malachi Kirby). The miniseries follows him from the earliest days of his life through adulthood, at which time a tribal lord sells him to a white slave owner. Kinte and hundreds of others board a ship into the unknown, shackled to one another. Once in America, he struggles to adjust to his new life after realizing the slavery in his native land is nothing like what he’s experiencing in the custody of wealthy white owners. Over time, he finds a friend on the Virginia plantation he’s forced to call home. While in custody, Kinte and the other slaves band together for survival. Together, they experience births, weddings, hardships and everything in between.

According to A.V. Club’s review, the “Roots” remake will closely resemble the original, although there will be some subtle differences.

In addition to Whitaker and Paquin, who play Fiddler and Nancy Holt, respectively, “Roots” will star rapper T.I. as Cyrus, Anika Noni Rose as Kizzy, Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Tom Lea, and Regé-Jean Page as Chicken George. For more cast information, click here.

Focusing on Kinte’s vibrant life before being sold into slavery and shipped to America, “Roots” part one will air on History Channel Monday, May 30, at 9 p.m. EDT. Parts two, three and four will air on the following three days, also at 9 p.m.

See an extended trailer below:

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