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Laurence Fishburne to star in ‘Roots’ remake

Laurence Fishburne, pictured in May 2015. Paul Morigi / Getty Images

LOS ANGELES – Laurence Fishburne is joining the Roots miniseries remake.

A&E Networks said Wednesday that Fishburne will play writer Alex Haley, whose novel about his African-American ancestry was the basis of the original TV miniseries.

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The new project will draw on the late Haley’s novel, Roots: The Saga of an American Family, along with new research, A&E said. The 1977 ABC miniseries was a ratings sensation.

Fishburne is a Tony Award-winning stage actor (Two Trains Running) and Oscar nominee (What’s Love Got to Do With It). He’s become a familiar presence on TV in series including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Toronto-shot Hannibal and comedy black-ish.

No air date or other casting has been announced for the Roots remake.

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