'Quantum Leap' on NBC: Will Scott Bakula return as Dr Sam Beckett in new series?

Ernie Hudson revealed, 'I know the invitation is out there but I don’t know what Bakula's response is'
Scott Bakula, and Raymond Lee in the old and new 'Quantum Leap's production still on NBC (IMDb/NBC)
Scott Bakula, and Raymond Lee in the old and new 'Quantum Leap's production still on NBC (IMDb/NBC)

Are we going back in time? For boomers, it sure feels like it as there are so many adaptations of the '80s and '90s series which is being released with just a futuristic point of view. Here comes another old cult classic series, 'Quantum Leap', being revamped which was once famous for the comedy and the concept of it being ahead of its time. The first five seasons of old 'Quantum Leap' starred Scott Bakula as Dr Sam Beckett, a physicist who involuntarily leaps through spacetime during experiments in time travel, by temporarily taking the place of other people to correct what he consistently discovers were historical mistakes. 

Whereas, in the new 'Quantum Leap', Raymond Lee is seen as Dr Ben Seong who is the protagonist. It is dated 35 years after Dr Sam Beckett disappears. Raymond Lee's character will revamp his team to begin a thrilling journey of time travel and historical mistakes of their own. However, as it is dated 35 years after the disappearance of Bakula's character Dr Sam Beckett, is there a possibility of him appearing in the show and reprising his role? Read more to find out!

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Scott Bakula starred as Dr Sam Beckett in the original 'Quantum Leap' series that aired on NBC from 1989 to 1993. In the series finale, it showed that Sam went back in time to tell his former love Beth that her husband Al was still alive, which he chose not to do the first time out of fear of altering the timeline, and to make things right. In the end, Beth and Al remained together and had four children. Meanwhile, Sam never returned home and remains somewhere in the flow of time.

During a recent interview with TV Line, Ernie Hudson who will be seen as Herbert “Magic” Williams said, “I’ve always appreciated his (Bakula's) work. He was wonderful in the (original) series and everything I’ve seen him do.” “Everybody that I know involved in (the reboot) would love to see him return. I know the invitation is out there, but I don’t know what his response is.”

Earlier this year, on March 4, 2022, it was announced that Raymond Lee would be cast in his role as Ben Seong. On March 8, it was announced that Ernie Hudson joined the cast as Herbert "Magic" Williams, then the next day, Nanrisa Lee, Mason Alexander Park, and newcomer Caitlin Bassett joined the cast of the pilot as Jenn, Ian, and Addison. However, there is no confirmation from the OG series actor or the creators of the new series whether there is any possibility to see an old face in the new series!

In the new series, Raymond Lee is going to be seen as Dr Ben Song, who is a brilliant quantum physicist who assembles a new team to restart Project Quantum Leap and understand the mysteries behind the machine and the man behind it. However, when Ben uses the Project Accelerator and takes an unauthorized trip to the past, his team has to solve the mystery of why he used the machine in the first place. During Ben's leaps, his constant companion is Addison Augustine, who appears to him in the form of a hologram that only he can see and hear. 

'Quantum Leap' is set to premiere on NBC and stream on Peacock on Monday, September 19, 2022 at 10 pm ET.

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