Finding Your Roots

Henry Louis Gates uses DNA detective work to solve family mysteries for actor Rebecca Hall and producer/director Lee Daniels—uncovering close relatives whose names they had never heard and revealing new aspects of their own identities.

Henry Louis Gates maps the roots of chef David Chang and actor Raúl Esparza—two men whose families fled their homelands to live in exile. From North Korea to Cuba, long lost records reveal their stories of hope—and survival.

Henry Louis Gates explores the family trees of Brittany Packnett Cunningham and Anita Hill, introducing two women who’ve made profound sacrifices for social justice to the ancestors who made sacrifices for them.

Henry Louis Gates helps actors Pamela Adlon and Kathryn Hahn decode scandals hidden within their roots, revealing truths their ancestors concealed, and celebrating the virtues of accepting one’s family members--whoever they may be.

Henry Louis Gates explores the Mexican roots of talk show host Mario Lopez and comedian Melissa Villaseñor, tracing their families back to the 1500s, weaving together stories of migratory farmers, Spanish Conquistadors and Native Americans.

Henry Louis Gates traces the roots of actors Terry Crews and Tony Danza, uncovering records from impoverished Italian villages and Southern slave plantations to reveal individuals who battled to build a better life for their families.

Henry Louis Gates helps John Legiuzamo and Lena Waithe retrace the journeys of their ancestors--from Spain to Colombia to the Caribbean--uncovering crucial pieces of their own identities that were lost along the way.

Henry Louis Gates uncovers the roots of Broadway stars Nathan Lane and Leslie Odom, Jr., taking them back to unexpected places in Ireland, Barbados, and Africa to meet a cast of inspiring ancestors in the branches of their family trees.

Henry Louis Gates explores the roots of Regina King and Damon Lindelof, the creative forces behind a visionary television series. The two discover they have more in common than meets the eye, including ancestors who overcame great traumas.

Henry Louis Gates helps Erin Burnett, Andre Leon Talley and Amy Carlson retrace the perilous journeys that shaped their family trees, criss-crossing the globe to provide insight into the people and places that made them who they are today.