TV series
Roots
Overview
An adaptation of Alex Haley's "Roots", chronicling the history of an African slave, Kunta Kinte sold to America and his descendants.
Details
- First air date
- 2016-05-30
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 4 episodes
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure
- Network
- History
- Production
- A+E Studios, Will Packer Productions, Wolper Organization
- Country
- US
- Original language
- EN
Cast
- Malachi Kirby as Kunta Kinte
- Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Tom Lea
- Forest Whitaker as Fiddler
- Laurence Fishburne as Alex Haley
- Babs Olusanmokun as Omoro Kinte
- Matthew Goode as William Waller
- James Purefoy as John Waller
- Emayatzy Corinealdi as Belle
- Anika Noni Rose as Kizzy
- Roman L. Armstrong as Kunta Kinte
- Derek Luke as Silla Ba Dibba
- Chris Obi as Kintango
Creators and crew
- Lawrence Konner - Executive Producer
- Marc Toberoff - Executive Producer
- Mark Rosenthal - Executive Producer
- Barry Jossen - Executive Producer
- Mark Wolper - Executive Producer
- Will Packer - Executive Producer
Episodes
Episode 1: Part 1
In the river region of The Gambia in 1750, Omoro Kinte and his wife, Binta, give birth to a son, Kunta. Kunta is kidnapped in 1767 and sold to British slave traders. After arriving in Maryland, Virginia planter John Waller purchases Kunta.
Episode 2: Part 2
Redcoats attempt to persuade slaves to run away and join the English army. Kunta escapes but slave catchers apprehend him and amputate half of his foot to ensure he never runs off again. John Waller sells Kunta to his younger brother, William.
Episode 3: Part 3
George becomes an accomplished trainer of gamecocks and earns the nickname of Chicken George. George marries Matilda, a preacher's daughter, and fathers many children. Tom Lea loses a wager with an Englishman and sells George to save his farm.
Episode 4: Part 4
Chicken George returns to the Lea farm after 20 years. George's son, Tom, nurses a grudge against his father. George and Cyrus join the Memphis Colored Battery. Tom returns home after the war to embark on a new life with his family.
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