‘Roots’ Revival to Debut on History Networks on Memorial Day 2016

The upcoming four night, eight-hour reboot of classic miniseries “Roots” will launch on the networks of History, A&E and Lifetime on Memorial Day 2016. The cast includes Academy Award winners Forest Whitaker (“Fiddler”) and Anna Paquin (“Nancy Holt”); Laurence Fishburne (“Alex Haley”); Jonathan Rhys Meyers (“Tom Lea”); Anika Noni Rose (“Kizzy”); Tip “T.I.” Harris (“Cyrus”); Emayatzy Corinealdi (“Belle”); Matthew Goode (“Dr. William Waller”); Mekhi Phifer(“Jerusalem”); James Purefoy (“John Waller”) and introduces Regé-Jean Page (“Chicken George”) and Malachi Kirby (“Kunta Kinte”).

“Nearly 40 years ago I had the privilege to be a part of an epic television event that started an important conversation in America,” said LeVar Burton, Co-Executive Producer. “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.”

“Roots” is an A+E Studios production in association with Marc Toberoff and The Wolper Organization, the company that produced the original “Roots.” Will Packer, Marc Toberoff, Mark Wolper, Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal and Barry Jossen serve as executive producers. LeVar Burton and Korin D. Huggins are co-executive producers. Roots” is directed by Phillip Noyce, Mario Van Peebles, Thomas Carter and Bruce Beresford.