Netflix has officially announced a 16-episode limited series — Tom Jones: Roots and Resonance, a sweeping, soulful chronicle of the Welsh legend’s extraordinary journey from the coal-mining valleys of South Wales to the dazzling lights of global stardom.
Directed and narrated by Sir Tom Jones himself, the series promises to be more than just a documentary — it’s a musical autobiography, told in his own words, voice, and rhythm. With unprecedented access to Jones’s archives, unseen concert reels, and intimate interviews, Roots and Resonance paints an unfiltered portrait of a man whose passion, power, and perseverance have defined generations.
“This story isn’t about fame,” Jones says.
“It’s about passion — the drive that keeps you singing, the roots that remind you who you are, and the fire that never fades.”
🌍 From the Valleys of Wales to the World Stage
Each episode of Roots and Resonance traces a defining chapter in Jones’s journey — from his early days in Pontypridd, where he sang in smoky pubs for miners and dreamers, to the Las Vegas showrooms where he became a global phenomenon.
The series captures the pulse of post-war Britain: a nation rebuilding itself, reshaping its identity, and finding a voice in artists like Tom Jones — whose sound was both deeply Welsh and universally human.
Audiences will revisit the milestones — “It’s Not Unusual,” “Delilah,” “She’s a Lady,” “Green, Green Grass of Home” — while uncovering the hidden stories behind them. In one episode, Jones recounts how “Delilah” nearly didn’t make it to radio, while another explores his friendship with Elvis Presley — a bond built on mutual respect, rivalry, and rhythm.
It’s not nostalgia — it’s resurrection through reflection.
💔 Behind the Spotlight — The Man, The Music, The Memories
Beyond the fame, Roots and Resonance digs deep into the man behind the legend. It explores the enduring love story with his late wife Linda, his struggles with loneliness and loss, and the quiet resilience that kept him grounded.
Jones revisits his childhood home — a modest row house in Wales — reflecting on how the echoes of coal dust, church choirs, and street songs became the foundation of his voice.
“When I sang, it wasn’t to impress,” he recalls softly. “It was to survive. Singing was my way of breathing — my way out.”
The series moves seamlessly between past and present — blending vintage black-and-white reels with lush, cinematic reenactments — creating an emotional tapestry that feels as timeless as the music itself.
🎶 The Soundtrack of a Lifetime
Each episode unfolds like a song — raw, heartfelt, and rich with memory. Classic hits are reimagined through orchestral arrangements, acoustic sets, and intimate studio sessions recorded exclusively for Netflix.
Legendary producers, including Mark Ronson, Rick Rubin, and T Bone Burnett, contribute to the show’s musical direction, blending authenticity with modern sound design.
Contemporary artists like Adele, Ed Sheeran, Annie Lennox, and Sam Fender also appear throughout the series, reflecting on how Tom Jones shaped their understanding of voice — not just as sound, but as identity.
“He sings like the world is ending,” Adele says in one clip. “And maybe that’s why his songs always feel like they’re saving it.”
🎥 Filming Locations — From the Valleys to Vegas
To truly capture the soul of Tom Jones, Roots and Resonance was filmed across five countries — each representing a different chapter of his journey.
📍 Pontypridd, Wales — The heart of the story. Filmmakers returned to the very street where Jones grew up, filming inside his childhood home, now lovingly preserved by locals.
📍 London, England — Recreating the excitement of the Swinging Sixties, with vibrant set pieces and reconstructed performances at historic venues like the Marquee Club and the BBC studios where Jones made his TV debut.
📍 Las Vegas, Nevada — Revisiting the glitz and grit of his 1970s residency era. Casino lights, vintage marquees, and stage re-creations transport viewers to the golden age of live performance.
📍 Memphis, Tennessee — The birthplace of soul. Interviews with musicians from Stax Records reveal how Jones blended Welsh gospel with American rhythm — creating a sound that transcended continents.
📍 Los Angeles, California — The modern reflection. Here, Jones records new performances for the series, offering stripped-back versions of his classics — just voice, guitar, and time itself.
Each location becomes a character — echoing the emotional and musical landscapes that shaped a man who never stopped moving, never stopped believing.
🎨 Creative Vision — Where Music Meets Memory
Visually, Roots and Resonance embraces a poetic duality: the grainy realism of archival footage intertwined with the cinematic clarity of modern filmmaking. Directed by Tom Jones and veteran cinematographer Seamus McGarvey (Atonement, Nocturnal Animals), the series captures both the grit and glamour of a six-decade odyssey.
The show’s aesthetic — all smoky light, slow pans, and analog textures — reflects Jones’s own philosophy: to find beauty in imperfection, rhythm in silence, and soul in survival.
Each episode ends with a single sustained note — the same key Jones has carried throughout his life — symbolizing how music can outlast pain, fame, and even time itself.
Producer Lisa Nishimura (known for Miss Americana and The Social Dilemma) describes it best:
“Tom doesn’t just tell his story. He sings it — every word, every silence, every heartbeat. This is memory set to melody.”
🔥 Legacy That Still Burns Bright
At 85, Tom Jones’s voice remains a thunderclap — unbroken, unyielding, and unforgettable.
Roots and Resonance is more than a reflection; it’s a rebirth.
A portrait of an artist who never stopped evolving, a man whose roots kept him grounded while his resonance reached across the world.
As Netflix teases in its official trailer:
“Every song has a story. Every voice has a home. Every legend echoes forever.”
đź’¬ Tagline:
“Every voice has roots. Every legend has resonance.”
🎥 Coming soon to Netflix in 4K Ultra HD
A journey through sound, soul, and survival — Tom Jones: Roots and Resonance isn’t just a documentary.
It’s a hymn to the human spirit.
