“I don't think I've ever spoken to anyone who's told me that the story ...” — Malachi Kirby Quote

I don't think I've ever spoken to anyone who's told me that the story of 'Roots' isn't important.

Even around my family, I hardly spoke. I was very reserved.

When I heard that 'Roots' was being remade, my first response was, 'Seriously?' I was a bit skeptical. Then I had an audition in early 2015. I didn't know how to feel about it. I was a little scared of the responsibility of telling the story again with the weight of the first one behind me - I was scared of comparisons.

I was 22 when my mother gave me the original box set of 'Roots' and she said, 'I want you to watch this.' I watched the whole thing back to back in the span of 24 hours. It had a profound effect on me. It felt like my story.

I would never ever forget my roots. I am always going back. Sometimes if I am driving, I find myself taking different routes, going down the old places I used to go. My mum is still in the house I grew up in.

My roots are Carnatic music. I think everything stems from that.

I already visited Rwanda when I was five, but I don't really remember my roots.

I'm sort of a Southerner because those are my roots, but my parents are from Iowa.

I come from an area of southern England that is utterly homogenous. All the history near me is about royalty and fealty, things which leave me cold. I lack roots, and have great warmth for places that have them.