Meryl Streep, Michael Douglas, Colin Powell, Brian Williams and numerous others will take part in History’s 12-part "America The Story of Us" series next year, Variety reports.

The cable channel says the documentary series, which will cover 400 years of history, is its most ambitious original programming ever. It will look at the building of the country, from the conflicts that shaped it to what distinguishes American democracy.

Jane Root, former president of Discovery Channel and BBC2, is the executive producer.

–Elizabeth Jensen