History, Lifetime & A&E Simulcast 'Roots' Remake Premiere On Memorial Day 2016! Watch Trailer!

Just as Black History Month is in kicking into full swing, the History Channel announced the premiere date of the highly anticipated Roots remake. The adaptation of the historic Alex Haley novel will hit the small screen on Memorial Day, May 30. The series premiere will be simulcast across History Channel, Lifetime and A&E to give fans a chance to catch the action no matter where they tune in. Check out the trailer below!

The riveting Roots series will be a four-night, eight-hour event series beginning at 9pm on May 30 and ending June 02, brought to fans by A&E Studios. The series will capture the American slavery period, focusing on one family's journey from Africa, throughout the Middle Passage and into American soil. The History Channel describes the series as "a historical portrait...of one family and their will to survive and ultimately carry on their legacy despite hardship."

Bringing the monumental story to life on screen are Academy Award winners, Forest Whitaker and Anna Paquin who will play "Fiddler" and "Nancy Holt" respectively. Debuting in the lead role of Kunta Kinte is Malachi Kirby. Kirby will also be joined by freshman actor, Rege'-Jean Page who will play "Chicken George." Emmy Award winning actor, Laurence Fishburne also joins the cast, playing legendary author and narrator, "Alex Haley." Fans will even get to see hip-hop superstar, Tip T.I. Harris in the series as "Cyrus" the soldier.

This series premiere will be a replica of the original Roots miniseries that aired on ABC back in January 1977 that became a national phenomenon and one of the most watched television events. LeVar Burton, who starred at the original Kunta Kinte is back to oversee the Roots remake as a producer.

New York Daily News quotes Burton giving his thoughts on the History Channel remake.

"Nearly 40 years ago I had the privilege to be a part of an epic television event that started an important conversation in America...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," said Burton.

Check out the Roots remake trailer below and don't miss the special 4-night Memorial Day premiere on History Channel at 9pm!