A study was undertaken to investigate, from a uses and gratifications perspective, the effects of serious television drama shown in a foreign country. Specifically, the study examined the impact of "Roots," a highly acclaimed American television drama on slavery, in Great Britain and provided comparisons with the findings of "Roots" research available in the United States. The results of the study showed that serious television drama from America, as exemplified by "Roots," evoked as much, if not more, positive reaction from British viewers as from American viewers and provided them with important viewing gratifications in terms of attitude change, identification, and social learning. (FL)