Will Netflix Save Manifest from Cancellation? (Updated)

Updated 6/23/21

NBC announced last week that its lost-airplane drama Manifest will not be returning to the network for a fourth season. That news came as somewhat of a surprise seeing as its same-day ratings were not that bad and it saw notable gains from delayed viewing. I had also assumed that if it did not return to the linear schedule, it might make the jump to the Peacock streaming service, similar to CBS moving Evil to Paramount+. But NBC decided to outright cancel the show, leaving it on a pretty big cliffhanger with the story unfinished (a total of six seasons have been mapped out). But there is still hope that the show will continue on another venue.

The very week that Manifest was cancelled by NBC, the first two seasons came available for streaming on Netflix and the show jumped to the top of that streamer’s viewing chart. The series may very well be of interest to the streaming service because it has developed a notable following and picking it up could bring a surge of new subscribers. Of course, Netflix has been quick to cancel shows of late and it rarely lets its originals last longer than the three to four season mark, but Manifest just might be a good fit for the streamer.

Netflix already picked up the fan-favorite Lucifer when it was cancelled by FOX after three seasons, and that one has become a huge hit since switching venues. Like Manifest, Lucifer comes from Warner Bros TV, and Netflix already has the streaming rights for encore runs of the lost-airplane series. Production costs should not be a problem as the broadcast network shows are typically less expensive than the more elaborate streaming originals. And if Netflix only wants to produce three additional seasons for the show, as it did with Lucifer, that should work out perfectly with the six-season plan. However, according to Deadline negotiations have ended and the streamer has passed on the show.  Though there has not been an official statement from Netflix.

The fans have not given up, though, and they will continue to fight for the show to get at least a fourth and final season. And since Manifest comes from Warner Bros. TV, HBO Max may be an option. An online petition has already garnered close to 20K signatures as of this writing, and fans are trying to encourage the streamer to pick the show up by getting the #SaveManifest and #SaveTheLifeboat hashtags trending on social media.  There is also a campaign to send paper airplanes to Netflix and NBC to convince them to keep the show going.  Members of the cast have been lending their support as has series creator Jeff Rake, so there is plenty of momentum at this point to save the show from cancellation. You can keep up with the current efforts to save the show at this link.

Fans successfully lobbied Netflix to pick up Lucifer and The Expanse was saved by Amazon following a strong show of support, so there is definitely a possibility that Manifest could follow that course as well. For those hoping that the series will get the chance to wrap up its storylines, now is the time to step up and show your support. It could very well be the next series to get an extended lease on life in the streaming world.

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