![Image](https://cdn.statically.io/img/ew.com/thmb/ImpFQsHlgdPDTkm8yfHzP_hg2tc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/roots-03-f1dcd46c5fd744edb5a3b7b72ae7e0d9.jpg)
The all-star remake of the iconic miniseries Roots has an intense first trailer.
Above is your first look at History Channel’s eight-hour American slavery drama starring Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland), Anna Paquin (True Blood), Laurence Fishburne (Black-ish), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) and Grammy winner Tip “T.I.” Harris. Roots updates the ground-breaking 1977 ABC miniseries, based on Alex Haley’s novel, that won nine Emmys and shattered Nielsen ratings records.
The network also announced a premiere date: Monday, May 30 at 9 p.m.
WANT MORE EW? Subscribe now to keep up with the latest in movies, television, and music.
“Nearly 40 years ago I had the privilege to be a part of an epic television event that started an important conversation in America,” said co-executive producer LeVar Burton, who starred in the original miniseries. “I am incredibly proud to be a part of this new retelling and start the dialogue again, at a time when it is needed more than ever.”
Filling out the cast is Anika Noni Rose, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Matthew Goode, Mekhi Phifer, James Purefoy, Regé-Jean Page and Malachi Kirby.
![Image](https://ew.com/thmb/ImpFQsHlgdPDTkm8yfHzP_hg2tc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/roots-03-f1dcd46c5fd744edb5a3b7b72ae7e0d9.jpg)