NEW YORK — Nielsen says 5.3 million viewers watched the multinetwork debut of “Roots” on Memorial Day, making it the most-watched scripted miniseries premiere on cable television since 2013 when “Bonnie & Clyde” aired on A&E.

The premiere airing of “Roots” was carried on History, Lifetime, A&E and LMN. The second episode aired Tuesday night.

The remaining two episodes air tonight and Thursday.

The miniseries is based on Alex Haley’s 1976 best-seller novel, “Roots: The Saga of an American Family.”

The original “Roots” miniseries aired on ABC in 1977.