Henry Louis Gates, Jr. journeys with film director Ava DuVernay, actor S. Epatha Merkerson, and musician Questlove to the unexpected places where their ancestors were scattered by slavery, upending their notions of African American history—and their own family trees.

Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family stories of filmmaker Michael Moore and actors Laura Linney and Chloë Sevigny—three people whose distant ancestors overcame great hardships in ways that resonate with their lives today.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shows comedians Seth Meyers, Tig Notaro and Sarah Silverman that their family trees are filled with people whose struggles laid the groundwork for their success. Gates also reveals to each one news of an unexpected DNA cousin.

Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the diverse family histories of politicians Paul Ryan, Tulsi Gabbard and Marco Rubio. They each see a shared vision of the great American melting pot reflected in their ancestors’ stories.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actor Michael K. Williams answer some family mysteries.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actor Michael K. Williams answer some family mysteries.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actress Felicity Huffman answer some family mysteries.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps author George R. R. Martin answer some family mysteries.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actor Andy Samberg answer some family mysteries.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps author George R. R. Martin answer some family mysteries.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps Andy Samberg and George R. R. Martin answer some family mysteries.

Ann Curry is told her grandfather’s name, something she never expected to find out.

Christiane Amanpour is left “gobsmacked” by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. when he tells her that one of her ancestors was a governor of Isfahan – the second city of Iran.

Dr. Gates reveals reveals the family history of Lisa Ling.

Host 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.

Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the family history of Seth Meyers.

Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the family history of Tulsi Gabbard.

Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the family history of Marco Rubio.

Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the family history of Paul Ryan.

Dr. Gates traces the family history of S. Epatha Merkerson.

Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves deep into the roots of athlete and television personality Michael Strahan.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the family history of Sheryl Sandberg.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the family history of Marisa Tomei.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals the family history of Kal Penn.