History’s Roots limited series premieres Memorial Day
History has released a new teaser trailer for its Roots limited series, a remake of the seminal 1977 miniseries. The original series received an astounding 37 Emmy nominations for which it is the current record holder. It received nine awards, topped recently by HBO’s John Adams.
The 2016 variation on Roots stars Malachi Kirby as Kunta Kinte, an African man sold into slavery. The limited series also stars Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, Johnathan Rhys Meyers, Anika Noni Rose, Anna Paquin, and Emayatzy Corinealdi among others. Airing in 2-hour sprints over four nights, Roots is directed by Bruce Beresford, Thomas Carter, Phillip Noyce, and Mario Van Peebles.
Given the pedigree of the cast and behind the scenes talent, it would be foolish to ignore such a massive and potentially powerful event. However, not only does History’s Roots remake have to be better than the original miniseries that for years dominated the genre, but it also has to be better than the similarly themed (and Oscar-winning) 12 Years a Slave. That doesn’t mean there isn’t enough room for multiple takes on the subject matter, clearly. But it does sort of demand that the remake produce a unique take on the limited series. Particularly when the competition includes The People v. O.J. Simpson, Fargo, and American Crime – all of which have played with the limited series genre in one way or another.
The 2016 Roots limited series will premiere Memorial Day, May 30.
Here is the new teaser trailer. The original trailer is included after.