Roots: The Next Generations 1979
- Status
- Ended
- First Aired
- February 18, 1979
- Last Aired
- February 25, 1979
- Format
- 1 season · 7 eps
- Total Runtime
- ~11.2 hours (96 min/ep)
- Created By
- Alex Haley
- Network
- ABC
- Where to Stream
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies
What is Roots: The Next Generations?
"Roots: The Next Generations" is a television miniseries that premiered in 1979. The series is a sequel to a 1977 miniseries and continues the story of a fictionalized family.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1979
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 7
- Runtime
- 96 minutes
- First aired
- Feb 18, 1979
- Last aired
- Feb 25, 1979
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- ABC
- Genres
- Drama
- Updated
At a glance
- Rating
- ★ TMDB users: 7.5/10 from 36 votes
- Format
- 1 season · 7 episodes
- Episode runtime
- ~96 minutes
- Status
- Ended
- Network
- ABC
Where to watch in United States
Buy
Apple TV StoreBuy
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Amazon VideoBuy
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Google Play Movies
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 7 episodes and an average 96-minute runtime.
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
"Roots: The Next Generations" is a television miniseries that premiered in 1979. The series is a sequel to a 1977 miniseries and continues the story of a fictionalized family. The story takes place from 1882 to the 1960s in Henning, Lauderdale County, Tennessee, USA. The series is based on the last seven chapters of Alex Haley's novel "Roots: The Saga of an American Family" plus additional material by Haley. The miniseries was produced with a significant budget, nearly three times as large as that of the original.
Should you watch it?
“A sweeping saga traces an African American family's journey from post‑Civil War to the civil rights era.”
- Richly detailed period storytelling
- Expansive multi‑generational narrative
- High production budget yields cinematic quality
- Lengthy runtime may feel dense
- Some viewers find pacing slow
Watch it if you enjoy expansive historical dramas that follow a family's legacy across decades.
Rated TV‑14, the series includes mature themes and occasional violence appropriate for teen and adult audiences.
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Frequently asked questions
When was "Roots: The Next Generations" first aired?
It premiered as a television miniseries in 1979.
What time period does the series cover?
The story spans from 1882 through the 1960s.
Is the series based on Alex Haley's writing?
Yes, it adapts the final seven chapters of Haley’s novel "Roots: The Saga of an American Family" and adds extra material by him.
How does its budget compare to the original "Roots" miniseries?
It was produced with a $16.6 million budget, roughly three times larger than that of the 1977 original.
What is the series’ content rating?
The series carries a TV‑14 rating, indicating it is intended for teen and older viewers.
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