The Gone Too Far star will play Kunta Kinte in the TV miniseries based on Alex Haley's 1976 book, Roots: The Saga of an American Family, which inspired the original 1977 series.

Levar Burton played the role in the original version.

Laurence Fishburne will also appear in the remake as author Alex Haley.

The series will begin shooting in South Africa and New Orleans, Louisiana next month (Sep15). It will premiere on America's History, A&E and Lifetime networks next year (16).