LeVar Burton is going back to the role that first that made him famous — but this time he won’t be in chains!
LeVar is revamping the harrowing and ground-breaking 1970s miniseries for a new generation — serving as executive producer for a star-studded reboot boasting the likes of Forest Whitaker, Anna Paquin, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Laurence Fishburne!
Based on Alex Haley’s 1976 book, “Roots” tells the story of Kunta Kinte — who’s taken from his home in Gambia in 1767 and enslaved in the United States.
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This time around, 26-year-old British actor Malachi Kirby stars as Kunta.
The original 1977 version of the epic series won nine Emmys and a Golden Globe, and pulled in a record 140 million total viewers.
“I am incredibly proud to be a part of this new retelling,” said LeVar, who originally played the lead role.
Set to debut on Memorial Day 2016, the eight-hour drama will span four consecutive nights and simultaneously air on History, A&E and Lifetime.
