Back to: Finding Your Roots

Freedom Tales
February 05, 2019
Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves deep into the roots of two African-American guests, actor S. Epatha Merkerson and athlete and television personality Michael Strahan. Both discover unexpected stories that challenge assumptions about black history.
TV Schedule
Season 7
Country Roots
February 23, 2021
Henry Louis Gates Jr. uncovers the diverse backgrounds of Clint Black and Rosanne Cash.
Write My Name in the Book of Life
February 16, 2021
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps musician Pharrell Williams and filmmaker Kasi Lemmons.
The Shirts on Their Backs
February 9, 2021
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals the immigrant roots of actors Tony Shalhoub and Christopher...
No Irish Need Apply
February 2, 2021
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of actor Jane Lynch and comedian Jim Gaffigan.
Against All Odds
January 26, 2021
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discovers the lineages that claim Andy Cohen and Nina Totenberg.
To the Manor Born
January 19, 2021
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discovers the lineages that claim Glenn Close and John Waters.
Full Episodes
Flight
November 17, 2020
Scarlett Johansson, Lupita Nyongo, and Lidia Bastianich discover surprising roots.
Fashion's Roots
October 13, 2020
Diane Von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez, and RuPaul Charles discover surprising roots.
Criminal Kind
February 25, 2020
Laura Linney, Lisa Ling, and Soledad OBrien discover surprising roots.
Italian Roots
February 18, 2020
Jimmy Kimmel, Marisa Tomei, and John Turturro meet ancestors who made immense sacrifices.
Slave Trade
February 11, 2020
Ava DuVernay, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Questlove discover unexpected family histories.
Science Pioneers
February 4, 2020
Francis Collins, Shirley Ann Jackson, and Harold E. Varmus learn their family histories.
Secrets & Lies
January 28, 2020
Sigourney Weaver, Justina Machado, and Amy Ryan unearth surprising family histories.
Beyond the Pale
January 21, 2020
Jeff Goldblum, Terry Gross, and Marc Maron uncover unknown family histories.
Homecomings
January 7, 2020
Sterling K. Brown, Jon Batiste, and Shasheer Zamata learn their family histories.
Off the Farm
October 15, 2019
Dr. Gates helps Melissa McCarthy and Eric Stonestreet answer family mysteries.
Hollywood Royalty
October 8, 2019
Anjelica Huston, Mia Farrow, and Isabella Rosselini learn their family histories.
All in the Family
April 9, 2019
Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the stories of Ty Burrell and Joe Madison.
The Eye of the Beholder
April 2, 2019
Marina Abramovi, Alejandro G. Irritu and Kehinde Wiley learn their family histories.
Hard Times
February 26, 2019
Dr. Gates explores the stories of Laura Linney, Michael Moore and Chlo Sevigny.
No Laughing Matter
February 19, 2019
Dr. Gates reveals the histories of comedians Seth Meyers, Tig Notaro and Sarah Silverman.
Roots in Politics
February 12, 2019
The family histories of politicians Tulsi Gabbard, Marco Rubio and Paul Ryan.
Dreaming of a New Land
January 29, 2019
Dr. Gates reveals the family history of Kal Penn, Sheryl Sandberg and Marisa Tomei.
Clips and Previews
Country Roots Preview
February 23, 2021
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers the backgrounds of musicians Clint Black and Rosanne Cash....
Write My Name in the Book of Life Preview
February 16, 2021
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps musician Pharrell Williams and filmmaker Kasi Lemmons.
The Shirts on Their Backs Preview
February 9, 2021
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals the roots of Tony Shalhoub and Christopher Meloni.
No Irish Need Apply | Preview
February 2, 2021
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of actor Jane Lynch and comedian Jim Gaffigan.
Against All Odds | Preview
January 26, 2021
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces Andy Cohen and Nina Totenberg.
Season 7 Official Preview
January 19, 2021
A new season of Finding Your Roots premieres on January 19 at 8/7c!
To the Manor Born Preview
January 19, 2021
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discovers the lineages that claim Glenn Close and John Waters.
Season 7 Official Preview
January 19, 2021
A new season of Finding Your Roots premieres on January 19 at 8/7c!
Coming to America | Preview
January 12, 2021
Nancy Pelosi, Norah ODonnell, and Zac Posen discover surprising roots.
Breaking Silences Preview
January 5, 2021
Gayle King, Jordan Peele, and Issa Rae discover surprising roots.
Flight Preview
November 17, 2020
Scarlett Johansson, Lupita Nyongo, and Lidia Bastianich discover surprising roots.
War Stories Preview
November 10, 2020
Julianne Moore, Bill Hader, and Kehinde Wiley discover surprising roots.
Fashion's Roots Preview
October 13, 2020
Diane Von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez, and RuPaul Charles discover surprising roots.
Criminal Kind Preview
February 25, 2020
Laura Linney, Lisa Ling, and Soledad OBrien explore surprising family roots.
Italian Roots | Preview
February 18, 2020
Jimmy Kimmel, Marisa Tomei, and John Turturro meet ancestors who made immense sacrifices.
Slave Trade | Preview
February 11, 2020
Ava DuVernay, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Questlove discover unexpected family histories.
Science Pioneers | Preview
February 4, 2020
Francis Collins, Shirley Ann Jackson, and Harold E. Varmus learn their family histories.