The Book of Negroes

History Channel, A&E, and Lifetime recently announced a joint venture to bring a Roots reboot to cable. Until then, we have the Canadian Broadcasting Channel and BET Networks co-production of The Book of Negroes, another miniseries centering on slavery and individual strength that is brimming with powerful historical drama. The life of Aminata Diallo—abducted from Africa as a child in the mid-18th century—unfolds in six episodes that mix a vast sweep with intimate storytelling. In stately novelistic fashion, the travails of Aminata (Aunjanue Ellis) are documented in Africa, the American Carolinas, Revolutionary-era New York, the free colony of Nova Scotia, abolitionist London, and many points between. Aminata is a strong, resilient figure, who repeatedly experiences grief and injustice, yet maintains her dignity. She also receives support along the way, especially from her husband and childhood hero, Chekura (Lyriq Bent). Ben Chaplin plays the sympathetic British officer who also gives the series its name by marking Aminata in the titular historic ledger of 3,000 freed slaves after the Revolutionary War. Louis Gossett Jr. hams it up as an old coot named Daddy Moses, while Cuba Gooding Jr. mugs (albeit with thoughtful intensity) as a famous New York innkeeper. A moving, adventure-packed miniseries full of small moments thrumming with powerful emotion, this is an impressive production. Extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette, interviews, deleted scenes, and a booklet. Recommended. (T. Fry)