EPISODE
Roots - Season 1 (2016)
The series is an adaptation of Alex Haley's 'Roots', chronicling the history of an African slave sold to America and his descendants. Filling out the cast is Anika Noni Rose, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Matthew Goode, Mekhi Phifer, James Purefoy, Regé-Jean Page and Malachi Kirby.Â
9 April 1982, Chesterfield, Virginia, USA
29 July 1964, Great Falls, Montana, USA
3 June 1988, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
13 December 1969, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
22 January 1954, Hattieburg, Mississippi, USA
1954
May 30, 2016
Indispensable, infuriating, and inspiring, Roots masterfully finds the hope and humanity in its heartbreaking, harrowing depiction of slavery, and in doing so provides an update worthy of the original.
August 22, 2016
This new adaptation of Roots may have a fair amount of downtime throughout its six and a half hours, but it rises on the strengths of its emotionally powerful narrative and outstanding cast, making this a version that does justice to its source material.
May 30, 2016
Just as the original Roots had a powerful emotional impact on Americans, the new one is likely to do so as well, especially given that questions of race are at the forefront of discussion as much now as ever.
April 04, 2017
For the viewers, and how much more so for the actors involved, the knowledge of that past only heightens the involvement in this nuanced and poetic telling of America's (and Britain's) most shameful history.
May 30, 2016
The new series brings new light to the misperception that popular culture has done a good job telling stories about slavery and black history in the decades since Roots first gripped the U.S.
February 09, 2017
As Kunta/Toby, Malachi Kirby has a magnetic presence and brilliantly negotiates the transition from foolish young pup to stern rebel who makes his bid for freedom on a white charger. He's the most compelling reason to keep faith with this new adaptation.
May 31, 2016
The effort put forth by the writers, actors, and filmmakers have updated and reimagined the miniseries to be a powerful reminder of the past and how stories like Roots deserve to be retold.
May 31, 2016
Whether you're a proponent or a critic of the new Roots, it's unlikely you'll quickly shake the image of Malachi Kirby's burning rage-filled eyes.
May 27, 2016
Roots reminds us, as the first did, that their long fight to be free is the most American story of all.
April 25, 2017
Highlights -- a queasy word to use here -- include a revolt on the slave ship and the flogging of Kinte to make him acknowledge his new English name.
