NBC orders 'Who Do You Think You Are?' celebrity genealogy series

NBC has announced it's ordered Who Do You Think You Are?, a British reality series that will show celebrities the details of their ancestral lineage.


Each episode will trace the family tree of a different celebrity, taking viewers on a genealogical journey into the star's past via a narrative that will link their ancestry with what was historically occurring at that time.

"This engaging new series gives viewers a glimpse into the personal lives of our favorite celebrities allowing us to learn not only more about that individual, but also about our country's history on a grand scale," said NBC reality chief Craig Plestis. "I think at the heart of every American is the burning desire to understand who you are and where you came from.  We hope this series will inspire our viewers to investigate their own intriguing past." 

Who Do You Think You Are? is produced by the U.K.'s Wall to Wall productions.  It first premiered in 2004 on BBC1 and will air its fifth season later this year.

"The show's combination of wonderful storytelling and powerful emotion has made it a break-out hit with British viewers and we're sure American audiences will love it too," said the show's creator Alex Graham.


Who Do You Think You Are? will be produced stateside by Graham's Wall to Wall production company in association with former Friends actress Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky's Is or Isn't Entertainment.  Graham will executive produce the series along Kudrow, Bucatinsky and Don Roos.

"We're thrilled that a star of the caliber of Lisa Kudrow has such faith in the show that she wanted to be a part of the creative team," said Graham. We're looking forward to a great relationship with Lisa's company and with NBC."

NBC has given Who Do You Think You Are? a series order based on finding a "suitable celebrity cast," The Hollywood Reporter reported Tuesday.  Producers are currently researching the ancestry of several interested celebrity candidates whom the network declined to identify, according to The Reporter.






About The Author: Christopher Rocchio