When you run out of ideas, why not reinvent the wheel, says Hollywood. And that’s exactly what it’s doing with the critically acclaimed TV series Roots.
According to a press release, Will Packer (Ride Along, Think Like a Man) and LeVar Burton (Kunta Kinte from Roots) will join forces to executive-produce a remake of the series, which will air on three channels—Lifetime, A&E and the History Channel—simultaneously.
“The opportunity to present one of America’s most powerful stories to a generation that hasn't seen it is tremendously exciting. Contemporary society needs this story, and I'm proud to be a part of it,” said Packer.
Burton, who recently relaunched his Reading Rainbow series, hopes the remake will reach a younger audience.
“My career began with Roots, and I am proud to be a part of this new adaptation,” said Burton. “There is a huge audience of contemporary young Americans who do not know the story of Roots or its importance. I believe now is the right time to tell this story so that we can all be reminded of its impact on our culture and identity.”
Roots was based on Alex Haley’s 1976 novel, Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The series first aired in 1977 on ABC. Roots received 37 Emmy Award nominations and won nine. The new series will air sometime in 2016.