8.2/1063 votes#1 - Grandparents and Other Strangers
Season 5 Episode 1 - Aired 1/8/2019
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actor Andy Samberg and author George R. R. Martin answer some family mysteries when DNA detective work uncovers new branches of their family trees. The DNA analysis upends family history and reveals new relatives.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/1039 votes#2 - Mystery Men
Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 1/15/2019
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actors Felicity Huffman and Michael K. Williams discover a wealth of hidden family history. Both grew up knowing little about their biological fathers, and seeing their lost ancestry restored proves deeply empowering.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.2/1043 votes#3 - Reporting on the Reporters
Season 5 Episode 3 - Aired 1/22/2019
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shows journalists Christiane Amanpour, Ann Curry and Lisa Ling that the stories within their own family trees are every bit as compelling as the news stories they have been covering for the world.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/1042 votes#4 - Dreaming of a New Land
Season 5 Episode 4 - Aired 1/29/2019
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores with Marisa Tomei, Sheryl Sandberg and Kal Penn the tremendous challenges faced by their immigrant forebears. From Italy, Russia and India to America, their histories show success could take generations to achieve.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.2/1042 votes#5 - Freedom Tales
Season 5 Episode 5 - Aired 2/5/2019
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves deep into the roots of two African-American guests, actor S. Epatha Merkerson and athlete and television personality Michael Strahan. Both discover unexpected stories that challenge assumptions about black history.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.1/1035 votes#6 - Roots in Politics
Season 5 Episode 6 - Aired 2/12/2019
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the diverse family histories of politicians Paul Ryan, Tulsi Gabbard and Marco Rubio. They each see a shared vision of the great American melting pot reflected in their ancestors’ stories.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.7/1042 votes#7 - No Laughing Matter
Season 5 Episode 7 - Aired 2/19/2019
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shows comedians Seth Meyers, Tig Notaro and Sarah Silverman that their family trees are filled with people whose struggles laid the groundwork for their success. Gates also reveals to each one news of an unexpected DNA cousin.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/1049 votes#8 - Hard Times
Season 5 Episode 8 - Aired 2/26/2019
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family stories of filmmaker Michael Moore and actors Laura Linney and Chloë Sevigny—three people whose distant ancestors overcame great hardships in ways that resonate with their lives today.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/1027 votes#9 - The Eye of the Beholder
Season 5 Episode 9 - Aired 4/2/2019
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shares the family histories of director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, iconoclastic performance artist Marina Abramović and painter Kehinde Wiley. These visionary artists find their identities challenged—and affirmed.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.2/1039 votes#10 - All in the Family
Season 5 Episode 10 - Aired 4/9/2019
The family stories of actor Ty Burrell, and radio host Joe Madison. Also a look at how a summer camp for children is using genetic genealogy to help young people better understand their burgeoning identities.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Finding Your Roots Season 5
Every episode of Finding Your Roots Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Finding Your Roots Season 5!
Noted Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has been helping people discover long-lost relatives hidden for generations within the branches of their family trees....
Genre:Documentary
Network:PBS
Season 5 Ratings Summary
"Grandparents and Other Strangers" is the best rated episode of "Finding Your Roots" season 5. It scored 8.2/10 based on 63 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 1/8/2019. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Mystery Men".