The internationally-acclaimed drama Roots, starring Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, Anna Paquin and Malachi Kirby, and featuring local stars Nokuthula Ledwaba, Mbulelo Grootboom and Nandi Nyembe, makes its free-to-air television debut on e.tv on Monday, 6 November at 8:30PM.
The harrowing miniseries chronicles the story of an African man sold into slavery in America and his descendants. In the 1770s Kunta Kinte (Kirby) is kidnapped from West Africa and sold to a British slave trader. His journey intensifies as it unfolds, introducing viewers to the lives of the enslaved and showing the brutality, abuse and sexual violence they endure over generations.
A remake of the 1977 miniseries based on Alex Haley’s classic novel of the same name, Roots’ worldwide appeal can be credited to its awe-inspiring international locations and award-winning cast. South African viewers will recognise a number of these locations, with spectacular scenes filmed at Mtunzini’s Umlalazi River and in the Dlinza Forest, near Eshowe, in KwaZulu-Natal.
The star-studded American cast is supported by well-known South African actors Nokuthula Ledwaba, Mbulelo Grootboom and Nandi Nyembe. SAFTA nominee Ledwaba burst onto the scene as wild child Lu in Backstage, before playing diva-in-the-making Tshidi Khuse on Rhythm City and then starring as Dumile in Umlilo. Grootboom recently starred as Ntlonipho ‘Killer’ Nxasana in the e.tv drama series Z’bondiwe and played Tony in the 2009 feature film White Wedding. Nyembe is a familiar face having appeared in numerous television series and movies, including Jacob’s Cross, Soul City, Yizo Yizo, Izoso Connexion, Soul Buddyz and 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls.
The miniseries will air over four weeks, with weekly two-hour episodes.
Catch Roots, from Monday 6 November 2017 at 8:30PM – 10:30 PM on e.tv and eHD on OpenView HD (Channel 104) and DStv (Channel 194). The internationally-acclaimed miniseries will run over four weeks, with weekly two-hour episodes.