The History Channel has acquired the rights to the 12-hour original Roots from Mark Wolper.
Reported exclusively by Deadline, the network will speak with writers for the project and will take from both the book and original miniseries.
History EVP and GM Dirk Hoogstra said, “We would like to revive that cultural icon for a new audience.”
The idea to remake the miniseries came from a remark made by one of Hoostra’s executives, VP of Development and Programming Michael Stiller. The History Channel was not the only network who was looking into remaking Roots; FX also had eyed a remake. History made the move and secured the rights to Roots. Wolper will executive produce the miniseries, he is also son of Roots executive producer, the late David L. Wolper.
Roots became very popular when it premiered in January of 1977 on ABC. It was a cultural phenomenon and broke rating records. It received 36 Emmy nominations, winning nine including best-limited series, and supporting actor for Ed Asner.