The new NBC reboots join a lengthy list of recent reinventions of classics including new Star Trek series like Picard and Strange New Worlds. CBS’ gender-switched reboot of The Equalizer starring Queen Latifah. And Just Like That… the Sex and the City reboot no one needed. While NBC hasn’t released too many details, we already know a bit about the cast, plot and even a pic from the set! Here’s what we know so far about the new Quantum Leap reboot series.
What is the Quantum Leap reboot about?
In the new Quantum Leap, which is set in the present, it’s been 30 years since Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished. Now, a new team has been assembled to restart the project in the hopes of understanding the mysteries behind the machine and the man who created it. This reboot is executive produced by Blindspot’s Martin Gero and Don Bellisario, who was a producer on Airwolf, JAG and NCIS. Bellisario also served as a writer and producer on the original Magnum P.I.,Battlestar Galactica and Quantum Leap.
Is Quantum Leap based on other material?
Quantum Leap is based on the early ’90s series (1989-1993) of the same name that was created by Don Bellisario. It starred Scott Bakula as Dr. Sam Beckett, a physicist who involuntarily jumps through time and space, occupying the bodies of other people to correct historical mistakes. He is joined by Al (Dean Stockwell), his friend, who appears to him as a hologram and helps him to research and find a way to rewrite history for the better. The show ran for five seasons on NBC.
How did Quantum Leap end?
Instead of going home like he wanted, Sam’s last leap was to go back to April 1, 1969 so he could tell Al’s first wife, Beth (Susan Diol) that Al was alive and was a POW in Vietnam. Audiences learned that Al and Beth never divorced in the new timeline. As for Sam, a final title card appears that said, “Dr. Sam Becket never returned home,” infamously misspelling the main character’s last name.
Who is in the Quantum Leap reboot cast?
Raymond Lee (Dr. Ben Seong)
Raymond Lee plays Dr. Ben Seong, a world-renown physicist who gets stuck in the 1980s with amnesia after using the Quantum Leap technology. Born in New York, Lee is of South Korean descent. He moved to Los Angeles when he was a child and decided to switch majors in college so he could study acting more extensively. Lee previously appeared in How I Met Your Mother, Mozart in the Jungle and Scandal. He will also appear in the upcoming film, Top Gun: Maverick.
Ernie Hudson (Herbert “Magic” Williams)
Best known for his role as Winston Zeddmore in the Ghostbusters franchise of films, Hudson will portray Herbert “Magic” Williams, a Vietnam veteran and head of the time travel project at Quantum Leap. Using his military prowess and politics to grease the wheels at the Pentagon, Magic buys the team some time to rescue Ben but wants answers when they return. You may also remember Hudson from his role as Jacob, Frankie’s first post-divorce love on Grace & Frankie.
Caitlin Bassett (Addison Augustine)
Addison is a project lead at Quantum Leap headquarters who operates state-of-the-art technology to communicate with an individual time traveling in the past, much like how Al (Dean Stockwell) appeared to Sam as a hologram in the original series.
Nanrisa Lee (Jenn)
Jenn is head of security at the Quantum Leap headquarters. Lee has had guest roles on several popular series, including Bosch, The Morning Show, NCIS: LA and Star Trek: Picard.
Mason Alexander Park (Ian)
Ian is the chief architect of the Quantum Leap A.I. program. Park is a non binary actor best known for playing Hedwig on the touring version of Broadway’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Will Scott Bakula appear in the new Quantum Leap series?
Scott Bakula is starring in another NBC pilot and will likely have no part in the new project. But since he is working with NBC it’s possible, though unlikely, that he could make a guest appearance on the new series. Bakula previously starred in NCIS: New Orleans, which aired its final season in 2021.
Will Al return for the new Quantum Leap?
Sadly, Dean Stockwell, who played Al in the original series died Nov. 7 2021 at age 85.
Will Ziggy be on the new Quantum Leap?
In the original series, Ziggy was a hybrid supercomputer that ran the Quantum Leap Project. Ziggy also assisted Sam and Al in retrieving historical information for whatever time period Sam leapt to. Deborah Pratt, who serves as executive producer on the original series as well as the reboot, voiced Ziggy. In an interview with The Companion that was featured on SYFY Wire, Pratt teased a “Ziggy Quantum Computer 2.0” so we’re excited to meet the new Ziggy!
How many episodes will there be in the new Quantum Leap series?
No official number of episodes has been released, but the show was recently given a full-season order by NBC.
Is there a Quantum Leap Day?
In promotion of the launch of the new series, Sept. 15 is Quantum Leap Day. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, you can check out a drive-through experience which will leap you back to the 80s and includes a chance to gas up your car for 91 cents a gallon - the average price of gas in the 80s! Nationwide, fans can score a movie ticket at 1980s prices through Fandango on that day for $3.55. Both offers are good while supplies last. For more details go to www.quantumleapday.com.
How many seasons were there of Quantum Leap?
The original Quantum Leap series ran for five seasons from March 1989 to May 1993 for a total of 97 episodes.
Who wrote the pilot episode of Quantum Leap?
Steven Lilien and Bryan Wyndbrandt wrote the pilot episode and will serve as executive producers on the show. The two currently serve as executive producers on La Brea.
When does Quantum Leap premiere?
Quantum Leap is set to premiere Sept. 19 on NBC and will also stream on Peacock. Raymond Lee, who leads the new series posted on Instagram:
Is there a trailer for Quantum Leap?
Yes, a trailer for Quantum Leap was recently dropped on social media. Check it out below.
Where to watch and stream the original Quantum Leap series
Next, The 101 Best Sci-Fi Movies of All Time
