it made taking on this journey a lot easier. >> malachi kirby is an amazing human being and a remarkablector. i cannot wait for you to see his performance. his spirit and heart was perfectly matched to the character. i just gave it up to him. he's got this. trust me. he's got this. >> a lot of people in our community rely on nonprofit organizations for help and te that's why the united way in partnership with nbc 4 is holding a one day fundraising drive this thursday. you can contribute to 100 organizations during this effort. it is called do more 24. >> we found it very exciting last year and did quite well with people that were concerned about reaching out, especially to the children that we are serving. we're going to allocate the funds we receive this year for our family programs and particularly for afterschool programs that we run in probably about six locations. >> more than 11,000 people donated last year. all the information on how you can join them this year can be found on our website. >>> one year after losing his son to brain cancer, vice president joe biden spent this memor

the new cast full of hollywood star power, but the starring role, kunta, played by malachi kirby. >> one of the biggest things i took from playing this is where his strength came from is in knowing where he was from. >> tobet. >> it's been a long time coming n this moment. >> reporter: they originated the role and met onset in africa first. >> it is an important story. >> it is an important story. >> reporter: burton is the co-executive producer of the new series and the two men formed a close bond. >> to be given the opportunity to portray him is a huge responsibility. i can't imagine doing what it is he did. >> but you did it first? >> but it's easy to be the first in that sense. because then no one has anything to compare you to. >> reporter: much like the character he plays, kirby found inspiration by drawing on his own roots. >> this felt very much like my story. my last name is kirby. i'm from africa, but my name is not african. >> reporter: when it aired, the country stood still. an unheard of 85% of american households caught a part of the series. >> i think it's important th

this time he is an executive producer, and british actor malachi kirby plays the iconic role. >> what tip did you give him? >> the only tip i can possibly give malachi is to make it his own. >> forrest whittaker is the role louis gossett junior. and ben vereen takes on chicken george. the original is mostly shot on the disney lot, where as this was shot here in louisiana. but also in south africa. ♪ the slave ship scenes were done in cape town, south africa. in louisiana, seven different plantstations were used. they have been historically preserved down to the original slave cabin. >> that's a real slave cabin. >> yes it is. >> how many people lived in that? >> no telling. probably about 20. >> today they're shooting one of the most emotional scenes of the entire miniseries. this is when kunta kinte's daughter kizzy has been sold and now she is about to leave the plantation. part of "root's" realism comes from costume designer ruth carter. explain what these are. >> this is a slave tag. and on the tag it said the name of the person who owned you. >> some of the 21,000 plus costumes a

. >> first he stars upcoming min series worse malachy kirby willw join us live in the loft to talt mores powerful role. >> tucker will be back on yourou wednesday forecast.ecast. nowwhich means it's the perfect time to create the perfect home. now through may 30th, take an extra hundred dollars off every thousand dollars you spend. plus, enjoy 36-month, no-interest financing. with havertys, your home can be perfect. even when life isn't. sfx:nocking. we're early! the memorial day sale. from classic to contemporary. havertys. >> we have a case of stolen dog and we need your help to bring c her home. allison is here with the details and how you can help. >> if you're a dog lover, cat lover, if you have a fur baby of any type andyo they'hove a begun outun of your site --ite -- >> if you have a heart. hea. >> panic. this case is really, reallyis r, terrible.teible a four month old boston terrierr named maggie.age look at such a good girl stolens from the back of her owner's's vehicle much this is lit