Friday, March 29, 2024

T.I., Mekhi Phifer, Emayatzy Corinealdi Join A&E’s ‘Roots’ Remake

Rapper T.I. attends the Watch The Duck and Friends EP Release Party at The Attic on November 23, 2015 in Hollywood, California.
Rapper T.I. attends the Watch The Duck and Friends EP Release Party at The Attic on November 23, 2015 in Hollywood, California.

*The “Roots” remake on A&E has added seven more people to the cast, including rapper T.I., “E.R.” vet Mekhi Phifer and “Hand of God’s” Emayatzy Corinealdi.

“The Following” alum James Purefoy, Matthew Goode (“The Imitation Game,” “The Good Wife”), Lane Garrison (“Prison Break”) and G. Hannelius (“Dog With a Blog”) have also signed on, according to Variety.

T.I. will appear in the final part of the four installments playing Cyrus, a headstrong slave who fights for his freedom for the Union Army against Confederate Forces. His character will be featured prominently in the finale episode.

Phifer will play Jerusalem, a mute slave who works on the Murray plantation, but who is not quite what he appears to be.

Purefoy has been cast as John Waller, the wealthy owner of a Virginia planation who buys Kunta Kinte as a slave upon his arrival in America; Goode will play Purefoy’s character’s charming and well-educated brother, Dr. William Waller; while Hennelius will play his daughter, Missy. Garrison will play Frederick Murray, a volatile, unpredictable Confederate officer and slave owner; and Corinealdi will play Belle, the wife of Kunta Kinte (played by the previously announced newcomer Malachi Kirby).

The additions join a cast that includes star Laurence Fishburne, Forest Whitaker, Anna Paquin, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anika Noni Rose, Chad L. Coleman, Erica Tazel, Derek Luke, Regé-Jean Page and Kirby.

Based on the 1997 “Roots,” the eight-hour, four night reboot will be simulcast across the network portfolio on A&E, History and Lifetime.

“Roots” is currently filming in Louisiana, and is set to premiere in 2016.

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