Amanda Seyfried Discovers Shocking Family Secret on PBS' Finding Your Roots

Amanda Seyfried uncovers a chilling mystery from her family history in the Season 11 premiere of PBS' Finding Your Roots. The Mamma Mia! actress learns that her third great-grandfather, John P. Ebert, a respected retired baker, was tragically murdered in 1905.

In an exclusive clip shared with PEOPLE, Seyfried, 39, reads aloud from a newspaper article of the time, revealing that Ebert was shot three times by an unknown assailant outside his home in Washington and Lumber Streets. The attack occurred at 9:30 p.m., with the shooter reportedly stepping out from behind an outhouse to fire the fatal shots.

"Your third great-grandfather was murdered," host Henry Louis Gates Jr. tells Seyfried, who reacts with shock and sadness. "How dare they! Like, 'Find justice,'" she exclaims, reflecting on the unsettling discovery.

Despite never having known Ebert, Seyfried describes the experience as deeply personal, adding, "It’s weird—I don’t know him, but yet, he’s family."

The upcoming season of Finding Your Roots promises more fascinating family revelations, featuring a star-studded lineup that includes Joy Behar, Kristen Bell, Laurence Fishburne, Debra Messing, Melanie Lynskey, Sharon Stone, Chrissy Teigen, and many more. Host Gates, 74, teased that the show’s popularity has created a significant waitlist, showcasing the widespread appeal of uncovering ancestral stories.

Season 11 of Finding Your Roots premieres Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 9 p.m. ET on PBS.