One of TV’s most successful and infamous miniseries, Roots, is returning to television.
LeVar Burton, an original cast member, is returning alongside executive producer Will Packer (Ride Along) for the recreation of Roots. Burton will also executive produce, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Also serving as an executive producer will be Mark Wolper in association with Marc Toberoff and The Wolper Organization.
A&E, Lifetime and The History Channel have announced that the series is making a reappearance on their networks. The Roots remake will air in 2016.
The original miniseries produced 12 hours total on ABC. It premiered in January of 1977 and earned 37 Emmy nominations. The 1977 original took home nine Emmy’s, including best limited series and wins for Ed Asner (supporting actor) and Quincy Jones (music).
Producers are hoping that the remake finds just as much success as the original, if not more.
Writing the new Roots will be Lawrence Konner (Boardwalk Empire), Mark Rosenthal (Mona Lisa Smile), Alison McDonald (Nurse Jackie) and Charles Murray (Sons of Anarchy). Victoria Thomas (The Hateful Eight) is the casting director of the remake.
The networks have confirmed that they are working directly with historians to rightfully conquer this miniseries and the true history of events. According to The Hollywood Reporter, they are hoping to stimulate discussion, awareness and appreciation of the origins of African Americans. They are looking to influence and inform American culture today.
The miniseries will premiere in 2016 on A&E, Lifetime and The History Channel.