Hollywood is smaller than we think — and this season of Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. proves it.
In the new trailer for Season 12, America Ferrera learns she’s related to filmmaker Ava DuVernay, one of several jaw-dropping discoveries revealed across the ten-episode season. Hosted by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the acclaimed PBS series returns January 6, 2026, tracing the ancestry of twenty actors, musicians, filmmakers, athletes, and cultural figures through powerful storytelling, emotional revelations, and groundbreaking DNA discoveries.
This year’s lineup includes Danielle Deadwyler, Brittney Griner, Wiz Khalifa, Sanaa Lathan, Spike Lee, Delroy Lindo, Lizzo, and Chris Paul, alongside America Ferrera, Darren Criss, Kristin Chenoweth, Kate Burton, Hasan Minhaj, Barry Diller, Tracy Letts, Sara Haines, Flea, Rhiannon Giddens, Lizzy Caplan, and Liza Colón-Zayas.
Season 12 Episode Guide:
- “American Dreams” (Jan 6) – Darren Criss & America Ferrera
- The season premiere dives into Ferrera’s surprising connection to Ava DuVernay and explores Criss’ multicultural roots.
- “Great Migrations” (Jan 13) – Wiz Khalifa & Sanaa Lathan
- Two stars reflect on how the journeys of their ancestors shaped their artistry and ambition.
- “Caribbean Roots” (Jan 20) – Liza Colón-Zayas & Delroy Lindo
- Both actors confront histories marked by migration, resilience, and cultural rebirth.
- “The Road We Took” (Jan 27) – Lizzy Caplan & Hasan Minhaj
- Stories of movement, belonging, and perseverance take center stage.
- “Love & Basketball” (Feb 3) – Brittney Griner & Chris Paul
- The NBA and WNBA icons discover how their families’ strength and faith forged their paths.
- “Westward Bound” (Feb 10) – Sara Haines & Tracy Letts
- Two storytellers trace the American frontier spirit running through their bloodlines.
- “Family Harmonies” (Feb 17) – Flea & Lizzo
- The two musicians uncover artistic roots that span continents and generations.
- “Artistic Roots” (Feb 24) – Spike Lee & Kristin Chenoweth
- Two creative forces explore how family history shaped their lifelong pursuit of storytelling.
- “Song of the South” (Apr 7) – Danielle Deadwyler & Rhiannon Giddens
- Both women connect their Southern roots to powerful legacies of art, struggle, and survival.
- “Rags to Riches” (Apr 14) – Barry Diller & Kate Burton
- From entrepreneurship to Hollywood royalty, this finale explores the making of modern dynasties.
(Guests, pairings, and episode order subject to change.)
At the heart of each story is Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., who continues his mission to uncover the narratives that connect us all.
“I am thrilled to announce another season of Finding Your Roots filled with inspiring stories that show us that at the level of the genome, we are all 99% the same despite the forces that try to divide us,” Gates said.
Produced by McGee Media, Inkwell Media, Kunhardt Films, and WETA, Season 12 continues to celebrate identity, culture, and legacy across generations — proving that our roots run deeper and closer than we ever imagined.
Season 12 of Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. premieres January 6, 2026, on PBS.
