We are fast approaching the premiere of the new Quantum Leap series that debuts on NBC on Sept. 19, 2022. The new series is set 30 years after the conclusion of the original show which ended with Scott Bakula’s Dr. Sam Beckett never finding his way back home. Raymond Lee stars as Dr. Ben Song, the protagonist who similarly leaps from one body into another as Dr. Beckett had before him, alongside Caitlin Bassett as his holographic partner Addison, a character similar to late actor Dean Stockwell’s Al in the original show.
One direction the reboot could have gone in would have been to go with a complete remake, reimagining Dr. Sam Beckett and Al with new actors in the roles attempting to recreate the chemistry between Bakula and Stockwell. Instead, the show’s creative team chose to revisit the original Quantum Leap world, even without the involvement of Bakula. In a new interview with TVLine, showrunner Martin Gero explained that it was very clear from the start that recasting Sam would have been a bad idea, leading to the idea of doing a sequel series with original characters.
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Raymond Lee added that his character is still a spiritual successor to Sam.
The Buddy Dynamic Has Been Replaced With a Romantic Relationship
NBC
One key difference in the two different Quantum Leap shows will be the relationships between the leapers and their holographic partners. Lee explained how it would have been a fool’s errand to try and recreate the buddy comedy between Sam and Al, so in the new series, the relationship Ben has with Addison is more on the romantic side.
The new Quantum Leap is set to premiere on NBC on Sept. 19, 2022.
