The History channel premieres Roots on Memorial Day 2016, airing over four consecutive nights at 9 p.m. beginning Monday, May 30. The four-night, eight-hour event series is an historical portrait of American slavery recounting the journey of one family and their will to survive and ultimately carry on their legacy despite hardship. Roots will be simulcast on A&E and Lifetime, in addition to History.

The stellar cast includes Academy Award winners Forest Whitaker and Anna Paquin, Laurence Fishburne, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anika Noni Rose, T.I., Emayatzy Corinealdi, Matthew Goode, Mekhi Phifer, James Purefoy and introduces Regé-Jean Page and Malachi Kirby.

Roots will allow new audiences to experience this epic family saga with a new vision that is both incredibly inspiring and tremendously entertaining,” said History/A+E Network president Buccieri. “We are proud that History will be able to bring new life to this incredible story that remains as important today as it did when the original Roots first premiered.”

“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 LeVar Burton, co-executive producer. “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.”