Posted by | Ray Cornelius 

BET continues to celebrate Black History Month with the premiere of its first-ever miniseries, “The Book of Negroes.”  The six-part historical drama in the tradition of “Roots,” is based on Lawrence Hill’s award-winning and the Oprah Winfrey-listed novel (known in the United States as Someone Knows My Name). The highly anticipated television event will run over the course of three consecutive nights in two-hour installments starting Monday, February 16, 2015 at 8 PM.

As previously reported, “The Book of Negroes” depicts the extraordinary life journey of Aminata Diallo, an indomitable African woman who cuts a swath through a world that is pre-disposed to underestimate her. Kidnapped by slave traders in West Africa and subsequently enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata must navigate her way through the American Revolution in New York, the isolated refuge of Nova Scotia and the treacherous jungles of Sierra Leone before ultimately securing her freedom in England at the dawn of the 19th century. The star-studded cast features lead actress Aunjanue Ellis, Oscar winners  Cuba Gooding Jr. and Louis Gossett Jr., Lyriq Bent, Oscar nominee Jane Alexander, Ben Chaplin and Allan Hawco.

Check out the trailer and a panel discussion below featuring Lawrence Hill along with the film’s cast and other special invited guests.

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Photo Credit: BET.com

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