Roots

1h 30min

Drama

Action & Adventure

An adaptation of Alex Haley's "Roots", chronicling the history of an African slave, Kunta Kinte sold to America and his descendants.

Production Companies

A+E Studios

Will Packer Productions

Wolper Organization

Episodes

Cast

Part 1

1. Part 1

1h 30min

30th May 2016

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.

Part 2

2. Part 2

1h 30min

31st May 2016

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.

Part 3

3. Part 3

1h 30min

1st Jun 2016

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.

Part 4

4. Part 4

1h 30min

2nd Jun 2016

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.

First air date

30th May 2016

Last air date

2nd Jun 2016

Status

Ended

Type

Miniseries

Original language

en

Networks