The series Quantum Leap, which ran from 1989-1993 on NBC, is getting a sequel series. It starred Scott Bakula as Dr. Sam Beckett and Dean Stockwell as Al. After a government experiment, Dr. Beckett finds himself jumping into the bodies of different people of the past and working out their problems while trying to return to his time. The new story follows a new team tasked with reopening Dr. Beckett’s experiment while trying to understand the machine and the man behind it. Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt are writing the pilot and currently executive produce La Brea. They will also executive produce the sequel series to Quantum Leap through their production company I Have an Idea!. Unfortunately, Dean Stockwell passed in 2021, and there is no official word whether or not Scott Bakula will return for the NBC sequel series.
Will the new Cast Include as Good a Team as Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell?
Quantum Leap creator Donald P. Bellisario will executive produce the sequel series through Belisarius Productions. The presence of the series creator may come as a relief to fans. NBC could be respecting the legacy of the series with that move. Also, Dean Stockwell and Scott Bakula made a great team in the series. It could be because Al was a hologram of Dr. Beckett’s friend Admiral Al Calavicci. Al was made to be friends with Dr. Beckett. In September, Bakula said “significant conversations” about a revival were being worked on. The revival of Quantum Leap would have to be more culturally relevant and find the perfect balance to adapt to modern audiences. The casting would be critical to match the dynamic of Dean Stockwell and Scott Bakula. There is another evil leaper project in conjunction with Dr. Beckett’s. This could add adversity and antagonist to the revival.
In addition to a new cast, the storylines could be more diverse than the limited and often whitewashed television of the 80s and 90s. The project is in the early stages, so no premiere date has been announced.