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FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Season 12 Premieres Tuesdays, January 6 - April 14, 2026, 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET.

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Overview

The acclaimed series returns with Professor Gates exploring the mysteries, surprises and revelations hidden in the family trees of popular figures.

Upcoming Episodes

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

American Dreams Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actors America Ferrera and Darren Criss uncover their immigrant roots—telling powerful stories that span the globe.
  • Airdate Tuesday, January 6, 2026 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Original1/6/2026
  • FIYO1201

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Great Migrations Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces rapper Wiz Khalifa and actor Sanaa Lathan to ancestors who left the American South, boldly breaking racial barriers.
  • Airdate Tuesday, January 13, 2026 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Original1/13/2026
  • FIYO1202

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Caribbean Roots Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the Caribbean roots of actors Liza Colón-Zayas and Delroy Lindo—meeting ancestors who took enormous risks.
  • Airdate Tuesday, January 20, 2026 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Original1/20/2026
  • FIYO1203

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

The Road We Took Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actor Lizzie Caplan and comedian Hasan Minhaj to ancestors whose brave decisions forever reshaped their families.
  • Airdate Tuesday, January 27, 2026 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Original1/27/2026
  • FIYO1204

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Love & Basketball Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the family trees of basketball stars Brittney Griner and Chris Paul—uncovering ancestors who had extraordinary talents.
  • Airdate Tuesday, February 3, 2026 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Original2/3/2026
  • FIYO1205

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Westward Bound Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of talk show host Sara Haines and playwright Tracy Letts from the American west to surprising places back east.
  • Airdate Tuesday, February 10, 2026 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Original2/10/2026
  • FIYO1206

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Family Harmonies Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of musicians Lizzo and Flea—traveling across the globe to find stories of the ancestors who inspired their work.
  • Airdate Tuesday, February 17, 2026 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Original2/17/2026
  • FIYO1207

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Artistic Roots Featuring filmmaker Spike Lee and actor Kristin Chenoweth ("Wicked")
  • Airdate Tuesday, February 24, 2026 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Original2/24/2026
  • FIYO1208

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Song of the South Featuring actor Danielle Deadwyler ("Till") and musician Rhiannon Giddens
  • Airdate Tuesday, April 7, 2026 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Original4/7/2026
  • FIYO1209

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Rags to Riches Featuring businessman Barry Diller and actor Kate Burton ("Scandal")
  • Airdate Tuesday, April 14, 2026 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Original4/14/2026
  • FIYO1210

Videos

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Press Materials

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TWO-TIME EMMY NOMINATED “FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR.” CELEBRATES UPCOMING SEASON 12 WITH SERIES TRAILER Download

Program Release

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Bios Download

Bio

All Episodes

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FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Born to Sing

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of singers Alanis Morissette and Ciara.

  • Original1/2/2024
  • FIYO1001

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Forever Young

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets Valerie Bertinelli & Brendan Fraser who learn their roots.

  • Original1/9/2024
  • FIYO1002

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Fathers and Sons

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces LeVar Burton & Wes Studi to families they’ve never known.

  • Original1/16/2024
  • FIYO1003

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Buried Secrets

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps Sammy Hagar & Ed O’Neill discover deep family secrets.

  • Original1/23/2024
  • FIYO1004

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Hold the Laughter

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers the roots of comedians Bob Odenkirk & Iliza Shlesinger.

  • Original1/30/2024
  • FIYO1005

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Far and Away

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of journalist Sunny Hostin and actor Jesse Williams.

  • Original2/6/2024
  • FIYO1006

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

The Brick Wall Falls

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shares ancestry with actor Danielle Brooks & singer Dionne Warwick.

  • Original2/13/2024
  • FIYO1007

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Mean Streets

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the family trees of comedian Tracy Morgan and actor Anthony Ramos.

  • Original2/20/2024
  • FIYO1008

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

In The Blood

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers the surprising roots of Michael Douglas and Lena Dunham.

  • Original4/2/2024
  • FIYO1009

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Viewers Like You

After a nationwide search, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. solves deep mysteries for three everyday Americans.

  • Original4/9/2024
  • FIYO1010

FINDING YOUR ROOTS

Larger Than Life

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. connects Lea Salonga & Amanda Seyfried to their dramatic ancestors.

  • Original1/7/2025
  • FIYO1101
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Press Contacts

Sara Serlen, ID

Press Inquiries Only:

FindingYourRoots@id-pr.com Copy Email

Stephanie Kennard

PBS

skkennard@pbs.org Copy Email