Like the 1977 TV mini-series, the 2016 remake of Roots is based on the Alex Haley novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The protagonist, Kunta Kinte (Malachi Kirby), is a young African man captured in his village, enslaved, and brought to a plantation in Virginia. John Waller is his owner. On the plantation, John Waller’s daughter Missy befriends one of the young slaves Kizzy. But when push comes to shove, Missy ultimately betrays Kizzy. In the 1977 series, Missy was portrayed by Sandy Duncan. In the 2016 series, Missy is portrayed by G Hannelius.
Born Genevieve Knight Hannelius, the 18-year-old American actress is known for her roles on Disney’s Dog with a Blog (Avery Jennings), Good Luck Charlie (Jo Keener), Sonny with a Chance (Dakota Condor), Leo Little’s Big Show (Amy Little), Rita Rocks (Brianna Boone), and Surviving Suburbia (Courtney Patterson), among others. Part 1 of Roots will air May 30 at 9pm on A&E, History Channel, Lifetime and LMN. It is a four-part series which ends on Thursday, June 2.
