Seasons & episodes

S5 · E9The Eye of the Beholder 2019-04-02 · 60 min＋

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shares the family histories of director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, iconoclastic performance artist Marina Abramović and painter Kehinde Wiley. These visionary artists find their identities challenged—and affirmed.

S5 · E10All in the Family 2019-04-09 · 60 min＋

The family stories of actor Ty Burrell, and radio host Joe Madison. Also a look at how a summer camp for children is using genetic genealogy to help young people better understand their burgeoning identities.

S6 · E1Hollywood Royalty 2019-10-08 · 60 min＋

Actresses Isabella Rossellini, Anjelica Huston and Mia Farrow explore their family histories, generations beyond their cinematic forebears.

S6 · E2Off the Farm 2019-10-15 · 60 min＋

Actors Melissa McCarthy and Eric Stonestreet retrace their ancestral journeys.

S6 · E3Homecomings 2020-01-07 · 60 min＋

Sterling K. Brown, Jon Batiste and Sasheer Zamata learn about the unexpected places their ancestors called home.

S6 · E4This Land is My Land 2020-01-14 · 60 min＋

The unexpected family trees of Queen Latifah and Jeffrey Wright challenge preconceptions about America's past.

S6 · E5Beyond the Pale 2020-01-21 · 60 min＋

Exploring the Jewish heritages of actor Jeff Goldblum, radio host Terry Gross and comic Marc Maron.

S6 · E6Secrets & Lies 2020-01-28 · 60 min＋

Sigourney Weaver, Justina Machado and Amy Ryan explore their ancestry.

S6 · E7Science Pioneers 2020-02-04 · 60 min＋

Tracing the family histories of scientists Harold Varmus, Francis Collins and Shirley Ann Jackson.

S6 · E8Slave Trade 2020-02-11 · 60 min＋

Questlove, S. Epatha Merkerson and Ava DuVernay explore the unexpected places where their ancestors were scattered by slavery.

S6 · E9Italian Roots 2020-02-18 · 60 min＋

Marisa Tomei, Jimmy Kimmel and John Turturro learn about the sacrifices their ancestors made to bring their families from Italy to America.

S6 · E10Criminal Kind 2020-02-25 · 60 min＋

The family histories of Laura Linney, Lisa Ling and Soledad O'Brien reveal tricksters, scoundrels and criminals.

S6 · E11Fashion's Roots 2020-10-13 · 60 min＋

Guests: Diane von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez, RuPaul. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. steps into the world of fashion and meets three icons of style — Diane Von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez, and RuPaul Charles — introducing ancestors who were just as audacious as they are.

S6 · E12DNA Mysteries 2020-10-20 · 60 min＋

Guests: Téa Leoni, Joe Madison. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uses DNA detective work to solve mysteries in the family trees of actor Téa Leoni, and radio host Joe Madison, introducing each of them to parents and grandparents whose names they’ve never heard before. (Téa Leoni originally appeared in S04E08. Joe Madison originally appeared in S05E10.)

S6 · E13War Stories 2020-11-10 · 60 min＋

Guests: Kehinde Wiley, Julianne Moore, Bill Hader. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of actor Julianne Moore, comedian Bill Hader, and painter Kehinde Wiley, revealing how their ancestors’ military service left an indelible mark both on their families and on their country. (S03E06 was also titled "War Stories." Kehinde Wiley originally appeared in S05E09. Julianne Moore originally appeared in S03E06. Bill Hader originally appeared in S03E04.)

S6 · E14Flight 2020-11-17 · 60 min＋

Guests: Lupita Nyong’o, Lidia Bastianich, Scarlett Johansson. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets actors Scarlett Johansson and Lupita Nyong’o, and chef Lidia Bastianich — three women whose families crisscrossed the globe to escape oppression and find opportunity, leaving them with questions about their relatives who stayed behind. (Lupita Nyong’o originally appeared in S04E07. Lidia Bastianich originally appeared is S03E09. Scarlett Johansson originally appeared in S04E05.)

S6 · E15Breaking Silences 2021-01-05 · 60 min＋

Guests: Gayle King, Jordan Peele, Issa Rae. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family secrets of journalist Gayle King, film director Jordan Peele, and comedian Issa Rae, introducing them to ancestors who raise profound questions about the shape and meaning of their family trees.

S6 · E16Coming to America 2021-01-12 · 60 min＋

Guests: Nancy Pelosi, Norah O'Donnell, Zac Posen. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, news anchor Norah O’Donnell and fashion designer Zac Posen explore their immigrant roots, retracing the journeys of their ancestors who arrived in the United States with little more than a dream--and revealing why that dream is still so inspiring today.

S7 · E1To the Manor Born 2021-01-19 · 60 min＋

Guests: Glenn Close and John Waters. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discovers the privileged lineages of Glenn Close and John Waters.

Guests: Andy Cohen and Nina Totenberg. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces Andy Cohen and Nina Totenberg to their survivor ancestors.

S7 · E3No Irish Need Apply 2021-02-02 · 60 min＋

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of actor Jane Lynch and comedian Jim Gaffigan, revealing the Irish American experience through their families.

S7 · E4The Shirts on Their Backs 2021-02-09 · 60 min＋

Guests: Tony Shalhoub and Christopher Meloni. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals the immigrant roots of actors Tony Shalhoub and Christopher Meloni, introducing ancestors who came to America to build a better life.

S7 · E5Write My Name in the Book of Life 2021-02-16 · 60 min＋

Guests: Pharrell Williams and Kasi Lemmons. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps musician Pharrell Williams and filmmaker Kasi Lemmons uncover extraordinarily rare first-person accounts of their enslaved ancestors.

S7 · E6Country Roots 2021-02-23 · 60 min＋

Guests: Clint Black and Rosanne Cash. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers the remarkably diverse backgrounds of country music icons Clint Black and Rosanne Cash.