‘Quantum Leap’ gets reboot for NBC

Quantum Leap, the 1990s science fiction time travel-themed series which starred Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell, is reportedly getting a reboot.

NBC has given a pilot order to reboot the cult classic which originally aired on NBC for five seasons from 1989 to 1993.

Quantum Leap starred Bakula as Sam Beckett, a physicist involuntarily “leaping” through spacetime and temporarily taking the place of other people to correct what he consistently discovers were historical mistakes.

Stockwell played Beckett’s sidekick, Admiral Al Calavicci, who appeared as a hologram from his present to guide him through the weekly adventures.

The series ended on a cliffhanger with a title card announcing that “Dr. Sam Beckett never returned home.” 

According to the synopsis for the potential new Quantum Leap reboot: “It’s been 30 years since Dr. Sam Beckett 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.”

Deadline reports that the reboot hails from La Brea co-showrunners Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt who would serve as writers and executive producers on the project. 

Martin Gero (The Blacklist) is attached as an executive producer along with the original Quantum Leap‘s creator Don Bellisario and co-narrator Deborah Pratt.

"This has been a very hard secret to keep," Gero posted on Twitter following the news. "Thrilled that our friends at NBC have given us the chance to bring this phenomenal show back and continue the story! Can't wait for you all to see what we have in store."

This has been a very hard secret to keep. Thrilled that our friends at @nbc have given us the chance to bring this phenomenal show back and continue the story! Can’t wait for you all to see what we have in store... https://t.co/IswM6ApOs5

— Martin Gero (@martingero) January 14, 2022

No casting has been confirmed for the Quantum Leap reboot, and while Scott Bakula is not attached to reprise his role, the synopsis suggests that he could make an appearance.

In September, Bakula teased that "significant conversations" about a revival were happening.

“There’s very significant conversations about it right now going on,” Bakula said while talking about the possibility of the reboot happening on the late Bob Saget's podcast. “I don’t know what it would be. I don’t know who would have it. The rights were a mess for years. I don’t know if they’re even sorted out now. That’s always been the biggest complication.”

The pilot is reportedly being produced by Universal Television, I Have an Idea! Entertainment, Belisarius Productions, and Quinn’s House Productions.

Relive some of the highlights from the sci-fi series below in clips shared by NBC Classics.