Stranger Than Fiction Preview

Season 11 Episode 3

About the Episode

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of two award-winning writers: novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove, tracing lineages that run from a plantation in Maryland to a speakeasy in Washington, DC to a village in central China. Along the way, Amy and Rita reimagine themselves as they learn the true stories of the people who laid the groundwork for their success—and inspired their art.

Aired: | Expires: | Runtime: 30s

Recent Episodes

Episode 3, Season 11<br> Stranger Than Fiction

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals inspiring ancestors of novelist Amy Tan & poet Rita Dove.

Finding Your Roots

| 52:10
Episode 2, Season 11<br> La Famiglia

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the Italian roots of Joy Behar & Michael Imperioli.

Finding Your Roots

| 52:10

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Extras

Tracy Morgan Discovers a Pre-Civil War Freed Ancestor

Tracy Morgan's third great-grandfather lived as a free man prior to The Civil War.

5:46
Danielle Brooks Learns the Dollar Value of Her Ancestors

Danielle Brooks learns the dollar value of her enslaved fifth great-grandparents.

6:42
Sunny Hostin Learns About Her Grandmother's Missing Father

A 1940 census, reveals that Sonny Hostin's grandmother's father was absent from her home

6:04
Jesse Williams Learns About His Swedish Great Grandmother

Jesse learns about his great grandmother on mother’s side from Sweden, who was a singer.

5:31
Tracy Morgan Discovers His Jewish Great-Great Grandfather

Tracy's family history unfolds with surprising revelations about his great-grandparents.

4:58
Anthony Ramos Traces Roots Back to Ninth Great-Grandparents

Anthony Ramos traces his father's mother's roots back to his ninth great grandparents.

6:05
Dionne Warwick Reflects on the Ugly Legacy Slavery

Dionne Warwick reacts powerfully to seeing her ancestor listed in an 1870 slave schedule.

5:44
Jesse Williams Discovers the Story of An Enslaved Ancestor

Jesse learns about his ancestor, July Hadley's life as an enslaved individual.

2:57
Dionne Warwick Explores the Roots of Her Singing Grandfather

Dionne Warwick explores her family history, focusing on her maternal grandfather.

6:44
Sunny Hostin Explores Her Puerto Rican Roots

Sunny Hostin's traces her lineage back three generations to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

2:36