'Quantum Leap' on NBC: Why is the new series featuring Raymond Lee not called a reboot?
'Quantum Leap' is back! even though the old cast is not but as one says never say never. The new 'Quantum Leap' is going to feature Raymond Lee as Dr Ben Seong. The old series featuring Scott Bakula as Dr Sam Beckett, and Dean Stockwell as Al Calavicci has been labelled "iconic" and was listed as "Top Cult Shows Ever" by TV Guide back in 2007. It is a tough one to crack, but fans seems to be simply happy as their hope of seeing Bakula one more time in the series is still alive.
In January 2022, NBC greenlit a pilot episode of a 'Quantum Leap' sixth season revival. Bellisario is involved, while the showrunners include Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt, with Deborah Pratt and Martin Gero as executive producers. Joining Lee on the cast of the 'Quantum Leap' reboot are Caitlin Bassett, Ernie Hudson, Mason Alexander Park and Nanrisa Lee, read more to know why the series is not a reboot but is just a revival!
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In the new series of 'Quantum Leap' it's been nearly 30 years since Dr Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished. Now, a new team, led by physicist Ben Song (Raymond Lee), has been assembled to restart the project in hope of understanding the mysteries behind the machine and the man who created it. Everything changes, however, when Ben makes an unauthorized leap into the past, leaving the team behind to solve the mystery of why he did it. At Ben's side throughout his leaps is Addison (Caitlin Bassett), who appears in the form of a hologram only Ben can see and hear. She's a decorated Army veteran who brings level-headed precision to her job. But it still doesn't make sense why it isn't a reboot right? Don't worry we got you!
The 80s show’s original leaper Dr Samuel Beckett (Scott Bakula) is still part of the new show’s universe, even though the veteran actor, Bakula hasn’t committed to any appearances on the show yet. So the new show, it’s more of a sequel, in which a new scientist starts up Beckett’s particle accelerator in an attempt to figure out what happened to him. The new doctor (Lee) winds up facing the same fate as Beckett, leaping from person to person in each new episode. So it is safe to say that this is the continuity of the previous 95 episodes series.
NBC gave the green light for a full season order in May 2022. In July 2022, it was announced that Dean Georgaris joined as showrunner. The pilot episode is all set for its premiere but there is a catch, the episode which was supposed to be the first episode apparently has been slotted as the third episode now. Thus, TV Line asked if the conjectures were true to Ernie Hudson who will be seen as Herbert “Magic” Williams on the series, during an interview. Hudson answered saying, "It was very important for the network and the producers to introduce [the show] in the right way." He continues,"The first couple of episodes are really important, because as much as people looking forward to it, they also are looking to see you get it right.' Hudson adds, 'I’m just happy that if something isn’t right, they’re taking the time to make sure that it is."
However, the new 'Quantum Leap' is set to premiere on September 19, 2022, airing on Monday nights.