Finding Your Roots

Watch Finding Your Roots

  • TV-PG
  • 2012
  • 12 Seasons
  • 8.7  (1,990)

Finding Your Roots is a popular American documentary series hosted by acclaimed historian, Henry Louis Gates Jr., alongside genetic genealogist, CeCe Moore, and an accomplished group of researchers. The first season of this show aired on March 25, 2012, and PBS has continued to produce it ever since.

Finding Your Roots is a genealogy show with a unique twist, delving deep into the roots of influential people with fascinating backstories from pop culture, media, and entertainment. The show explores the ancestry of stars like Jimmy Kimmel, Robert Downey Jr., and Tina Fey, revealing the scintillating tales of their forebears and painting a compelling picture of their family history.

Using advanced techniques and tools, the team digs through the paper trail, historical archives, and DNA testing to help individuals trace their roots, bringing their ancestors to life in a way that is both insightful and enlightening. The show creates an unbreakable connection between the celebrities and their past, unraveling the story of their distant relatives and ancestors who struggled and persevered through adversities.

This series is not all about the glitz and glam of fame, though, as it also takes a serious approach to reflect on some of the darkest moments in American history, such as the Trans-Atlantic Slavery, the Holocaust, and other historical events that had a significant impact on the individuals being examined. The show offers diverse viewpoints, from the narratives of African-Americans, European Americans, Asian Americans, and Latin Americans, unraveling a truly global history that is both fascinating and enlightening.

Each episode is carefully crafted and delivers an immersive experience for viewers as Henry Louis Gates Jr. and his team present a comprehensive history of their subjects' ancestry. The show navigates through dozens of family photographs, handwritten letters, census records, and archive material, bringing personal stories that are both informative and entertaining.

The chemistry between Henry Louis Gates Jr. and CeCe Moore is remarkable, and their on-screen presence creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, especially when they share their interpretations and insight into the family trees of the people being featured.

One of the most remarkable features of Finding Your Roots is the production value, which is of the highest quality. The show incorporates stunning visual effects, archival footage, and expert interviews, giving the series a polished and professional look.

In conclusion, Finding Your Roots is a fantastic exploration of family histories with a great cast and storytelling that is both exciting and inspiring. This show is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about their family history and the struggles of the past. It is an excellent educational tool that can help us reflect and come to understand the complexities of our society better. To experience the unmatched storytelling, history, and culture featured in Finding Your Roots, Watch Finding Your Roots Online.

In our history, we must acknowledge our past, where we came from, and strive to build a better future.

Finding Your Roots is a series that ran for 12 seasons (122 episodes) between March 25, 2012 and on PBS

Finding Your Roots
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Seasons
The Road We Took
4. The Road We Took
January 27, 2026
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actor Lizzie Caplan and comedian Hasan Minhaj to ancestors whose brave decisions forever reshaped their families.
Caribbean Roots
3. Caribbean Roots
January 20, 2026
Exploring the Caribbean heritage of actors Liza Colón-Zayas and Delroy Lindo.
Great Migrations
2. Great Migrations
January 13, 2026
Rapper Wiz Khalifa and actor Sanaa Lathan learn about ancestors who left the American South in search of better lives in the North.
American Dreams
1. American Dreams
January 6, 2026
America Ferrera and Darren Criss uncover their immigrant roots.
Description
Where to Watch Finding Your Roots
Finding Your Roots is available for streaming on the PBS website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Finding Your Roots on demand at Apple TV Channels and Prime Video and Amazon and Fandango at Home and Google Play and Hoopla and Apple TV Store and PBS and Pluto TV and.
  • Premiere Date
    March 25, 2012
  • IMDB Rating
    8.7  (1,990)