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.
“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.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men
- What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives
- Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Contact us at letters@time.com