Roots: The Next Generations 1979
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
Where to watch
Buy
Apple TV StoreBuy
Apple TV Store
Amazon VideoBuy
Apple TV StoreBuy
Apple TV StoreAmazon VideoBuy
Amazon VideoApple TV Store
Google Play Movies
Fandango At HomeStreaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 7 episodes and an average 96-minute runtime.
Trailer
No official trailer is available for this title yet.
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.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Roots: The Next Generations — answers are spoiler-safe.
Your verdict
Is Roots: The Next Generations worth watching?
Cast
Episode guide
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.