Roots: The Next Generations

Roots: The Next Generations (1979)

EndedScripted showDrama, War, History

Continuing the story of Pulitzer-prize winning author Alex Haley's ancestors, this award-winning sequel to Roots picks up the story at the conclusion of the Civil War, and covers the significant historic events that impacted Haley and his family, from Reconstruction and Jim Crow, through World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II. The epic account concludes during the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s when the author himself tracks down and eventually meets his distant kin in Gambia, West Africa while preparing to write what would become his ground--breaking novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family.

Network

Last Episode

Part 7
Season 1Episode 7120 min

Part 7

In the exciting conclusion, it is now 1960 in Henning, Tennessee, 10 years after Alex's wife Nan left him, and Alex attends the funeral for his great Aunt Elizabeth. He has finally succeeded in a writing career by publishing free-lance articles including interviews with Minister Malcolm X of the Nation of Islam and George Lincoln Rockwell, head of the American Nazi Party. Alex lands a contract to ghost-write the autobiography of Malcolm X, although Malcolm is assassinated before the book is published. Alex then realizes that he should write a book about his own family and he obsessively researches his origins, alienating his new girlfriend in the process. After identifying the language of the words passed down to him, he manages to get an advance that will allow him to travel to Gambia, West Africa. Once there, he is taken by boat to the Griot for the Kinte clan. After the Griot retells centuries of history, Alex finally hears the name of Kunta Kinte and the story of the drum that lead to his capture into slavery, marking the end of his search for his family's roots.

Feb. 25, 1979

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S01E07Part 7Feb. 25, 1979
S01E06Part 6Feb. 23, 1979
S01E05Part 5Feb. 22, 1979
S01E04Part 4Feb. 21, 1979
S01E03Part 3Feb. 20, 1979
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did Roots: The Next Generations premiere?

Roots: The Next Generations premiered on February 18, 1979.

Who was the author of the book 'Roots: The Next Generations' on which the show was based?

The book 'Roots: The Next Generations' was written by Alex Haley.

How many episodes were there in the TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations'?

There were eight episodes in the TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations'.

Who was the protagonist of the TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations'?

The TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations' featured the lives of several generations of the African-American family of Alex Haley, with the focus on his grandmother, Queen.

Who played the role of Alex Haley's grandmother, Queen, in the TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations'?

Olivia Cole played the role of Alex Haley's grandmother, Queen, in the TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations'.

Who was the original cast of the TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations'?

The original cast of the TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations' included Olivia Cole, Georg Stanford Brown, Lynne Moody, Debbi Morgan, Henry Fonda, Marlon Brando, and many others.

What is the main theme of the TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations'?

The main theme of the TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations' is the struggle for freedom, civil rights, and social justice of African Americans.

Was the TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations' a sequel or a prequel of 'Roots'?

The TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations' was a sequel to 'Roots'.

How many years were covered in the TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations'?

The TV show 'Roots: The Next Generations' covered over a century of history, from the post-Civil War era to the mid-20th century.

Cast

Dorian Harewood

Dorian Harewood

plays Simon Haley
View all cast

Characters

Simon Haley

Simon Haley

played by Dorian Harewood
View all characters

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