NBC should be happy with how things are going Quantum Leap, the new revival of the hit sci-fi series, as the network just ordered six additional episodes for the freshman season. At this time, only three episodes have aired as part of NBC’s 12-episode order for the season. Per THRseason 1 has now been increased to 18 episodes, making Quantum Leap the first freshman series of the current TV broadcast season to receive an extended season order.
After premiering in September to 3.35 million viewers, subsequent episodes are reported to average just under 3 million viewers on the same day on NBC. Its availability on Peacock also helped as Quantum Leap has become one of the streaming platform’s top five shows. Better yet, the show is the #1 new show of the broadcast season in the 18-49 demographic, which is exactly what NBC had hoped for in that regard. If these numbers stick around as the series progresses through its first season, it seems very likely that a season 2 extension will follow.
The cast may be different as Scott Bakula and Harry Dean Stanton are gone; Raymond Lee now serves as the main character, while Caitlin Bassett plays a role similar to Stanton’s. In a recent chat with MovieWeb, cast member Anastasia Antonia commented on how she hopes fans still walk away with the same “sense of adventure” they got from watching the original series years ago.
“I hope people take away the same sense of adventure they got from the original series — feeling free to be creative and use your imagination,” she said. “And the idea that anything is possible. That’s what I love about the show.”
On what makes this new version special, she added: “What really stands out to me is the cast and the relationships in the show. It reflects more of today or the distant future. You still get that sense of adventure. The talent “It’s just incredible to watch. I also think there’s an endearing quality to the show that stands out. There’s different spices and flavors in it.”
Will Scott Bakula return?
As it stands, there are no plans to bring Scott Bakula back for the Quantum Leap revival. Bakula has stated that he turned down the offer to return, a decision he described as “difficult”, although he offered his support for the new cast and crew.
“I have no connection with the new show, neither in front of the camera nor behind it,” Bakula said. “Because the show has always been close to my heart, it was a very difficult decision to pass on the project, a decision that has upset and confused so many fans of the original series.”
He continued: “However, the idea of someone ‘jumping’ in time and walking a mile in someone else’s shoes remains a very attractive concept and so worth exploring, especially given the current state of humanity. , I cross my fingers that this new cast and crew are lucky enough to tap into the magic that propelled the original Quantum Leap in the hearts and minds of generations past and present.
I wish them good luck and lots of jumping fun!”
Maybe the series is doing well so far and getting an extended season order, maybe the show’s creative team will come up with an idea solid enough to convince Bakula to return. For what it’s worth, the show’s staffers haven’t given up on the idea.
To catch up on the series, you can stream episodes on Peacock.