Roots (2016): Season 1

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 60 Ratings

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6.3

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6.3	Your Score
6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 60 Ratings

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Roots (Trailer 1)

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Season Details & Credits

Lifetime | A&E | The History Channel | Season Premiere Date: May 30, 2016

Summary: The second adaption of Alex Haley's book is a four-night, eight-hour miniseries about the journey of Kunta Kinte (Malachi Kirby) from Gambia into slavery in colonial America and the eventual freedom of his family.

Genre(s): Drama, Movie/Mini-Series, Action & Adventure, Documentary

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E9. Part 4, Hour 2
Air Date: June 3, 2016
tbd
S1:E8. Part 4, Hour 1
Air Date: June 2, 2016
tbd
S1:E7. Part 4
Air Date: June 2, 2016

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Metascore

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Mixed:

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Critic Reviews

100

Gail Pennington

May 31, 2016

Throughout, this new Roots is great entertainment, full of action and romance, an engrossing yarn about people who feel very real and relatable. But 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. Read full review

Ken Tucker

May 31, 2016

The new Roots excels in the naturalism of its performances to make the horror of slavery vividly painful--and the resistance to it uplifting--in a way that deepens the tale. Read full review

San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times

Chuck Barney

May 31, 2016

Told with style and assurance, this "Roots" revival is packed with credible performances, including Anika Noni Rose's terrific portrayal of Kunta's daughter, Kizzy in her older years, and Rege-Jean Page's charismatic turn as her son, Chicken George. Read full review

Matthew Gilbert

May 26, 2016

It’s a technically updated and marvelously acted work for the era of “Black Lives Matter,” a solid dramatic reminder of the complexity and depth of racism in America. Read full review

Mary McNamara

May 31, 2016

Though sleeker and more graphically brutal than its ancestor, Roots remains a celebration of resistance through survival. Read full review

Rob Owen

May 27, 2016

The new Roots offers a strong dose of drama--too strong, perhaps, for some viewers who will shy away from scenes of brutality--and compelling character stories. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

May 20, 2016

A slickly streamlined and impeccably cast reinterpretation. [23 May-3 Jun 2016, p.14]

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User Score

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6.3

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User Reviews

cylixdemas

Jun 1, 2016

Roots is a very well developed remake on the classic series. The opening episode reveals great performances by an inspiring cast. You generally feel very engaged with main character - and the supporting cast does bring some intrigue. The production quality and cinematography were excellent.Roots is a very well developed remake on the classic series. The opening episode reveals great performances by an inspiring cast. You generally feel very engaged with main character - and the supporting cast does bring some intrigue. The production quality and cinematography were excellent. This could be the show to bring relevance back to the History Channel.… Expand

6 of 9 users found this helpful63

jeeta

Mar 29, 2017

Amazing re-make. Must watch for every human being. Some seriously insulted white people here marking the show down without even watching it. Urge all to watch.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Gaylene

Jun 12, 2016

This was an excellent remake!!!! Much more authentic and realistic from the first. Can't wait to buy this new series!!!! The acting was magnificent...WELL DONE!!!!!!

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

trmor1

Feb 20, 2017

The first episode, compelling and wholly drew me in, Malachi Kirby (Kunta Kinte) is outstanding, couldn't wait for the second, what happened!?! shouldn't have bothered, its like someone turned on a tap and completely watered it down. The last two episodes haven't aired here yet, fingersThe first episode, compelling and wholly drew me in, Malachi Kirby (Kunta Kinte) is outstanding, couldn't wait for the second, what happened!?! shouldn't have bothered, its like someone turned on a tap and completely watered it down. The last two episodes haven't aired here yet, fingers crossed they are as good as the first ep.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Thirdrail

Jun 7, 2016

The first episode of this new Roots is so good, it does not at all prepare you for the drastic plunge in quality level which sets in with the second and subsequent episodes. Once it goes bad, it just gets sillier and sillier and sillier, to the point where you feel guilty for even being inThe first episode of this new Roots is so good, it does not at all prepare you for the drastic plunge in quality level which sets in with the second and subsequent episodes. Once it goes bad, it just gets sillier and sillier and sillier, to the point where you feel guilty for even being in the same room with it. It's like watching the story of slavery, as told by the writers of Dawson's Creek.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

sunflower49

Feb 9, 2017

I was looking forward to seeing this new series. However, one of the most ludicrous parts was when Kunta told his parents he wanted to go to University!! So he set off on his horse, saw the girl he was in love with, and then was captured by the slavers. Alex Haley had written that KuntaI was looking forward to seeing this new series. However, one of the most ludicrous parts was when Kunta told his parents he wanted to go to University!! So he set off on his horse, saw the girl he was in love with, and then was captured by the slavers. Alex Haley had written that Kunta was in the forest getting some wood for a drum, when he was captured. That is what actually happened. How Levar Burton could allow this ridiculous university story instead is ridiculous. Hopefully, the rest of the series will be closer to the truth,… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

reluctantexan

Jun 8, 2016

I tried 3x to watch the first episode and just couldn't finish. It had nothing to recall the original Roots which I watched all those years ago. Totally uninteresting.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SEE ALL 14 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

83

Series Overview
Season 1

83
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: May 30, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E9. Part 4, Hour 2
  Air Date: June 3, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E8. Part 4, Hour 1
  Air Date: June 2, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E7. Part 4
  Air Date: June 2, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E6. Part 3, Hour 2
  Air Date: June 2, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E5. Part 3, Hour 1
  Air Date: June 2, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E4. Part 2, Hour 2
  Air Date: June 1, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E3. Part 2, Hour 1
  Air Date: May 31, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E2. Part 1, Hour 2
  Air Date: May 31, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E1. Part 1, Hour 1
  Air Date: May 30, 2016