The TV Column

History Channel remakes '77 miniseries Roots

Malachi Kirby (left) plays Kunta Kinte in the History Channel remake of Roots. He’s shown with LeVar Burton, who portrayed the character in the 1977 ABC original.
Malachi Kirby (left) plays Kunta Kinte in the History Channel remake of Roots. He’s shown with LeVar Burton, who portrayed the character in the 1977 ABC original.

It may be difficult for younger audiences (those under age 45 or so) to realize the cultural impact the ABC miniseries Roots had on the country in 1977. It was immense, and we'll likely never see such a phenomenon again.

Impact? History Channel notes, "The Jan. 30 finale captivated more than 100 million Americans (more than half the country), breaking all previous ratings records. It remains the third-most watched single episode of all time, trailing only the final episode of MAS*H and the iconic 'Who Shot J.R.?' episode of Dallas."

Roots was nominated for 37 Emmys, winning nine, and inspired millions of Americans to trace their own heritage.

The new, ambitious production of Roots will be presented in classic miniseries format. The eight hours will air over four consecutive nights, beginning at 8 p.m. Monday. The program will be simulcast on History's sister channels, Lifetime and A&E.

Roots is a multigenerational exploration of author Alex Haley's family tree. It covers the African-American experience from the brutal Colonial-era slave trade through Reconstruction.

The series begins with Kunta Kinte, a Mandinka warrior in training in Gambia, and his coming of age trials. The young African was played in the original by LeVar Burton, who serves as a co-executive producer for the remake.

The tale follows Kunta's kidnapping around 1767 by slavers, his voyage to Virginia, his defiance and long refusal to accept his slave name of Toby.

Subsequent nights' episodes follow Kunta's marriage to Belle; the birth of their daughter, Kizzy; Kizzy's rape by her owner, Tom Lea, and the birth of her son, Chicken George. All this leads through the generations to Haley, who claimed to be a seventh-generation descendant of Kunta Kinte.

Haley died in 1992 at the age of 70.

Roots is a fascinating, frequently violent tale of survival and perseverance with a cast that is as distinguished as it is extensive. Here is a handy guide to the many characters and the actors who play them.

Kunta Kinte (Malachi Kirby), a warrior who is clever, resilient and proud, and resisted his slave name of Toby.

Belle (Emayatzy Corinealdi), American-born wife of Kunta Kinte and longtime cook and housekeeper for Dr. William Waller.

Kizzy (Anika Noni Rose). The only child of Kunta Kinte and Belle, she maintains her family pride and warrior spirit. After being raped by her slave master, she gives birth to her only son, George.

Chicken George (Rege-Jean Page). Kizzy's handsome, resourceful son, he struggles with following his family traditions until he is abandoned by his biological father, Tom Lea.

Matilda (Erica Tazel). Literate, modest and religious, she marries Chicken George and is the mother of his eight children.

Tom (Sedale Threatt Jr.). The quiet, handsome youngest son of George and Matilda, he is inspired by the tales of his great-grandfather, Kunta Kinte. His inner warrior comes out during the Civil War.

Fiddler (Forest Whitaker), cultured slave musician who is a friend and mentor to the newly enslaved Kunta.

John Waller (James Purefoy), negligent tobacco plantation owner who buys Kunta Kinte when he arrives in Virginia.

Dr. William Waller (Matthew Goode), charming, benign slave owner and younger brother of John.

Missy Waller (G Hannelius), John's daughter and Kizzy's early best friend.

Tom Lea (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), craven owner of Kizzy who rapes her.

Mingo (Chad L. Coleman), a slave and cock trainer for Lea, he befriends Chicken George and teaches him about cockfighting.

Cyrus (Tip "T.I." Harris), a slave who fights for the Union Army and befriends and helps Chicken George.

Jerusalem (Mekhi Phifer), a mute slave on the Murray plantation.

Frederick Murray (Lane Garrison), a violent slave owner and Confederate officer engaged to Nancy Holt.

Nancy Holt (Anna Paquin), Murray's Quaker fiancee.

Alex Haley (Laurence Fishburne), the narrator and author of the 1976 novel, Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The book earned Haley a National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize.

Burton, who is 59 now, has enjoyed a long career that includes Star Trek: The Next Generation and being host of the PBS children's series Reading Rainbow.

"My career began with Roots, and I am proud to be a part of this new adaptation," Burton tells Variety. "There is a huge audience of contemporary young Americans who do not know the story of Roots or its importance. I believe now is the right time to tell this story so that we can all be reminded of its impact on our culture and identity and start the dialogue again, at a time when it is needed more than ever."

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Style on 05/29/2016

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