A+E Networks announced Thursday that its remake of the legendary miniseries Roots will air on three networks next year - History, Lifetime and A&E.
News of the project first surfaced in November 2014. Mark Wolper, son of the original 1977 series’ producer, David L. Wolper, will be an executive producer. Original star LeVar Burton and Ride along director Will Packer are the executive producers.
The writing team includes Lawrence Konner (The Sopranos), Mark Rosenthal (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice), Alison McDonald (Nurse Jackie) and Charles Murray (Sons of Anarchy).
Roots tells the story of Kunta Kinte, who was captured in Gambia to be a slave in the U.S. Over several years, the original series presented American history through the eyes of Kinte’s family. The series won the Golden Globe for Best TV Series - Drama and nine Emmys.
The remake will feature more material from the novel the series was based on, Alex Haley’s ROOTS: The Saga of an American Family. Casting has yet to be announced. The new series will be produced by A E Networks and The Wolper Organization.
Roots will debut in 2016.
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