31st December, 2015
A 1970s US drama which documented the history of American slavery is to be remade with a former EastEnders star playing the lead role.
British-raised Nigerian actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim, who is famous for his roles in Pirates of the Caribbean III and the television series 24 will star alongside other actors.
The Nigerian actor told the Independent: “It’s a great thing to bring Roots back. I remember seeing it as a little boy and it had a profound effect on me.”
“I was living in England but my parents came from Nigeria so I was learning the history of that time. Visually the remake has a much more contemporary feel around it. But it’s still faithful to the book.”
He told the newspaper that black actors are often presented in a ‘very negative and demeaning’ way.
British actor, Malachi Kirby, will play Kunta Kinte in Roots, which is being adapted with a modern-day spin.
The rising-star – who starred in the 2013 comedy drama Gone Too Far – appeared on screens for eight episodes of the BBC soap.
The original Roots: The Saga of an American Family, adapted from Alex Haley’s 1976 novel, spanned several generations on ABC and followed African Kinte, who was captured then shipped to America where he was forced to work as a slave on a plantation.
The historic mini-series was watched by 100 million viewers and was also screened on the BBC.
And the History Channel in conjunction with Lifetime and A&E have revamped the story of the black family’s struggle to survive during the slave era in America.
LeVar Burton, who portrayed Kinte in the original, has produced the new series with original cast members Will Packer and with Mark Wolpe.
According to the Independent, Kirby was picked by LeVar following an international cast search.
Kirby will join British actress Simona Brown, who appeared in the BBC drama The Casual Vacancy, and will play his prospective girlfriend.
Croydon-born Kirby, 27, previously appeared in films Offender and My Brother the Devil, as well as British TV shows Doctor Who, The Bill and Casualty.
He played Wayne Ladlow in Eastenders in 2014.
In a statement earlier this year LeVar, said: “My career began with Roots and I am proud to be a part of this new adaptation,” Burton said in the statement.
“There is a huge audience of contemporary young Americans who do not know the story of Roots or its importance.
“I believe now is the right time to tell this story so that we can all be reminded of its impact on our culture and identity.”
The eight-hour series will be screened on The History Channel in 2016.