Up Next
Back to Show
Finding Your Roots
The Butterfly Effect Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actors Debra Messing & Melanie Lynskey to ancestors who made bold decisions that forever reshaped their family trees. Moving from shtetls in Eastern Europe to a fruit stand in NY City to the wilds of New Zealand, Gates introduces his guests to relatives who took great risks, overcame enormous hardships—and unwittingly transformed the lives of their descendants.
Support Provided By
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:09
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Kate Burton and media mogul Barry Diller.
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:10
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the families of Danielle Deadwyler and Rhiannon Giddens.
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:09
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of director Spike Lee and actor Kristin Chenoweth.
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:09
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces musicians Flea and Lizzo to their inspiring ancestors.
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:09
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. heads west to map the family trees of Sara Haines and Tracy Letts.
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:09
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of basketball stars Brittney Griner and Chris Paul.
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:09
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Lizzy Caplan and comedian Hasan Minhaj.
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:09
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the Caribbean heritage of Liza Colón-Zayas and Delroy Lindo.
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:09
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the family trees of rapper Wiz Khalifa and actor Sanaa Lathan.
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:09
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers America Ferrera & Darren Criss’ immigrant ancestors.
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:10
Family mysteries are solved for actor Laurence Fishburne & scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Unlock with PBS Passport
52:10
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Sheryl Lee Ralph & historian Lonnie Bunch.