The groundbreaking series about the history of the enslavement of Black people will get a reboot for a new generation of viewers. This week news broke that acclaimed actor Forest Whitaker will be cast as the character Fiddler, who is Kunta Kinte’s mentor.
Roots aired almost 40 years ago in 1977. This reboot will feature an all-star cast which includes Laurence Fishburne as Alex Haley, Anika Noni Rose, Derek Luke, and others in iconic roles from the original.
Shadow and Act reports that newcomers Malachi Kirby and Regé-Jean Page have been cast as Kunta Kinte and Chicken George respectively. Malachi was handpicked by executive producers Will Packer and LeVar Burton, who played the original Kunta Kinte.
Behind the scenes there will also be major star power with directors Mario Van Peebles, Bruce Beresford, Phillip Noyce and Thomas Carter. In addition, Questlove will serve as the executive music producer for the production.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, production is already underway in New Orleans, and will move to South Africa later this month.
The reboot series will air next year.
