NBC announced that its revival of Quantum Leap will not continue to a third season, leaving the series and the franchise ending on a cliffhanger. The show arrived in the Fall of 2021 and saw the revival of Project Quantum Leap in an attempt to find Sam Beckett who disappeared after five years of leaping. But Dr. Ben Song enters the Accelerator early and loses his memories, requiring the others in the project to guide him in his leaps while trying to figure out why he made his unauthorized decision. The show received an early renewal for a second season after performing well in the ratings, but NBC then decided not to keep it going for a third year.
Quantum Leap had decent ratings in its first season, averaging a 0.33 score based on same-day viewing by the 18-49 demographic according to Nielsen. It was below the network average and its numbers trended down through the season, but it performed well enough early on to get a renewal nod that got production started ahead of the impending strikes. It was one of the few scripted shows to hit the schedule in Fall due to the production stoppage from the strikes, and it performed well even though its average rating was down to a 0.29 score. But that was still enough to rank at Number 36 among all broadcast network shows for the Fall, and it was performing pretty much on par with other dramas on the network at that time.
When the show returned in January 2024, it was moved to the Tuesday 10 PM EST timeslot and its numbers dropped notably. It slipped to an average of 0.18 in that hour, and its season average dropped to a 0.25 score. NBC did not do a good job of promoting the timeslot change, and it certainly appeared like they were trying to justify killing off the show. Its numbers were down, but word is that it was doing well in digital viewing over on Peacock, and that was in part what helped the show get its second-season renewal in the first place.
I took note of the show’s declining numbers in our Cancellation Watch column, but I did not move the show to Bubble Status because I figured that NBC would go the same route as La Brea and at least give Quantum Leap a final season. Or perhaps it could have shifted to Peacock like the network just did with Law & Order: Organized Crime. But for whatever reason, the network decided to outright cancel the show, leaving two entries in the franchise (going back to the ’90s series) ending with the leaper never returning.
The fact is that NBC executives should have an incentive to give this show a proper resolution. The original series had five seasons and 97 episodes while the revival has produced two seasons and 31 episodes so far. That makes for a nice syndication package (where shows really turn a profit) and/or an extended binge run on streaming. But it ultimately proves unsatisfying at this point because it does not offer a conclusion. One final season of six episodes or so would not set NBC back that much (especially considering the fact that networks throw away millions of dollars on shows all the time), and it would give the property a much better resolution. That makes it much more saleable in the syndication and/or streaming market and could help it to live on for many years in encore runs. And since NBCUniversal has at least partial ownership of the property, the company will continue to profit from it.
So it is basically up to the fans at this point. Within just the past few years, we saw NBC’s Timeless saved by fan action, both for a second season and a final movie. If fans of Quantum Leap can get the show trending, it is very possible that it will get a final season or at least a movie to wrap up its storylines (and we can certainly hope that Scott Bakula will return as Sam Beckett). And the network has much more of an incentive to provide a resolution for this franchise as opposed to Timeless seeing as it has over one hundred episodes under its wing already when you combine the original series and the revival.
Quantum Leap is leading our season-end Save My Show Poll as of this writing, and there is also an online petition out there garnering some attention. Fans should certainly stage watch parties on Peacock and do everything they can to get the show trending on the social networks (and there are more ideas on how to help the show at our Call to Action page). I believe a strong show of support can certainly help this one, and possibly get it to at least one more season. It will take some effort from the fans, but it is certainly within reach.
Did you watch Quantum Leap and will you help with fan efforts to save the show? Chime in with your thoughts below.
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The stories were great and getting better! But the added woke was a distraction for no reason. I think it turned a large portion of it’s viewers off. we just want to be entertained.
It was getting better as it went along and the overarching plots weren’t too overbearing either.
‘Woke’ is just a nonsense word to give angry people an excuse to be outrages in public so I can’t comment on that.
Can’t SYFY or USA Network pick Quantum Leap up for a third season? Can’t NBC bring it back as a TV movie?
Cancelling Quantum Leap after 2 seasons was a mistake! I would’ve liked to see Ben and Addison making their leap home together in the last-ever episode. And I also would’ve liked to see Ben and Addison teaming up together to make things that once went wrong and then go on a quest to find Sam Beckett and bring him back home safe and sound. What about Quantum Leap spin-off shows? “Quantum Leap: The Animated Series”? “Team Quantum Leap”? And the untitled female Quantum Leap series?
NBC sux! All they want to do is crime dramas and when some new and different comes along they can it! Don’t get me wrong, I like crime dramas just fine but Quantum Leap was great because it was different. It was a really “feel good” type of show. Heaven forbid we get one of those!!!
I wish they keep Quantum Leap going until the end and not cut it short.
Please keep Quantum Leap and get rid of Ghosts or So Help Me Todd.
Quantum Leap has just gotten started.
Three or four more seasons please. I loved the original and the continuation was starting to grow on me.
The late night time slot was so stupid. They should have moved the time slot to 7pm instead of at 9pm when a lot of people are turning in for the night.
#SaveQuantumLeap
You know it’s a shame the networks pulled the plug on these sci fi shows. They should, at the least, allow for the show to have another season (streaming) to put a rounded up ending to the shows.
Hopefully they can find a way. 🙏😇🙏
I really liked quantum leap. The reboot was really good. They should’ve never canceled it without Ben getting home. They always cancel the good shows. Bring it back. Bring Ben, Sam, and Addison home.
I loved quantum leap. Due to it’s late time slot, I would watch it the next day. I too want more episodes and a quality ending where all 3 leapers (or more if someone else leaps) come home and show how their lives are restored.
Oh, please bring it back. I love this show. I don’t want to watch another new show. I like both old and new quantum leap. Before they started the show I saw a trailer where Ben jumped in with a band. Never saw that one. Or they even did with OJ Simpson part on that trailers too. I was hoping to see many more to go. The last thing I see was Ben and Addison finally hugged. So, yes please finish it up because cutting off to the last leap.
The promos they did for Quantum Leap before the show actually premiered were only promos, not actual leaps. They were all filmed in one day. Ben never leaped into OJ Simpson in any of them. He did leap into Joe Montana in one but that was just a promo, along with all the others.
Why must they always cancel the good ones? They always keep the dumb ones. Makes you not want to watch regular TV anymore. Quantum leap is one of the good shows they have out there today. Please don’t cancel it.
I truly liked quantum leap, this show was great. I pray that any other network would pick this show.
They always get rid of the good shows early(cliff hangers). Please finish it up!!
As a huge fan of both the original and newer Quantum Leap(s), I would love either a maybe 10ish episode season or a movie that show the now 2 new leapers going through time with the intent of bringing Sam home, and then, once all 3 are home, have the project either permanently shut down or fixed to where if someone does leap, they can be retrieved to the same point in time that they leapt from.
I’m so tired of getting interested in a show that I really like and then it just goes away with no resolution to the cliffhanger. Can’t they at least wrap it up before they kill it? I enjoy Quantum Leap and would love to continue watching it.
Please bring back Quantum leap me and my wife love that show 😢
The only new shows I’ve watched the last 2 seasons were the new Night Court and Quantum Leap. I was also a fan of the original Leap series and have enjoyed reruns over the years despite its viscerally dissatisfying ending. I chose to watch both newer series on Peacock since I could conveniently watch streamed episodes without navigating strikes and schedule changes.
I am disappointed again in the decision to end the series, and this time without even a final slide explaining Ben’s fate.
Why can’t networks honor the implied agreement between themselves and viewers for any series that have a clear story arc? It had two seasons, at least provide a denouement.
Thank you.
I rally enjoyed Quantum leap. I missed a lot I want Quantum Leap come bak again
I loved the reboot and the original one. I’m pretty sure that they are not going to bother bringing it back anymore. Its done and over with. Move on and accept it
I love Quantum leap. After watching the final episode of the new series I decided to watch the old series. I just finished rewatching the old series. It seems like every good show gets cancelled. I don’t know why they cancel them. When they cancelled LaBrea I was hoping Quantum Leap would be around for a while. What can we do to get them to change their minds and bring the show back?
I loved it too I wish it wasn’t on the cliffhanger and they left
I really enjoyed Quantum Leap. I missed a lot I want Quantum leap come back again
I enjoyed watching both series and would like to see an ending where all three are brought home or an ending showing what happened to the leapers in time why they didn’t return home. I. E. They stopped leaping and lived out their lives somewhere else in time and died or something.
The cost of or of television programming has become very expensive, so much so that reality and game shows will become the majority of television shows. NBC is famous for not giving proper endings to its television shows before stopping them.
I first started watching this series on a long flight and was intrigued. However the more I watched the more I found myself enjoying the plot lines that were developing with the hq team. I found the actual jumping stories much less interesting and engaging, until Eliza came along. That being said I was very disappointed when hearing about it being cancelled as the cliff hanger final episode showed much promise and I’m saddened that we may never know how it all turns out. #SamLostForeverAgain
Quantum Leap was the only reason I was subscribed to Peacock. Thinking of cancelling it
I love quantum leap and have since I first watched the debut episode so many years ago. I like the new one almost as much. I have an idea on how to bring all three of them back but doubt I could ever write it since I’m not a script writer.
But this series deserves a great final season that brings them all home and gives us closure, or a movie does.
So many shows are nothing but political BS but Quantum is just about some history.
Keep the show going on Peacock. I’m a big fan of both Quantum Leap versions, and would like to see it continue instead of keeping us hanging again.
Agreed
Another example of how much TV executives suck.
Reality shows are at their IQ level.
I would like to see the script if scott bakula was in it … bcuz this story made no sense and the finale of S2 ,I think was written to pull Scott’s (sam) from the accelerator
It wasn’t. Hannah repeatedly stated that to a Nomad, home is a person not a place. Her code was always designed to being Addison to Ben. It was not a swap code. Ian and Gideon misunderstood what the code did. Even if the code did swap people, it would have had no effect on Sam since he is leaping himself and leaped from a different accelerator.
Quantum Leap deserves a final season to wrap up TWO series for NBC. We fans have followed the franchise for 30 years and such loyalty should be rewarded.
Unfortunately this show was complete garbage. For the most part the acting was garbage, the dialogue extremely unrealistic, and the “one liners”, came across as horrible lame. I had holes with a new creative team for S2 but somehow they made it worse. I kept watching because the actual leaps were fun and enjoyable but they really needed to give the boot to most of the cast who worked at the project. Bakula was a wise man for staying as far away from this mess as possible.
The show changed showrunners after the 4th episode of season 1 not in season 2. Season 2 was different because the showrunners stated each season was like a book and each season was different.
Again we don’t get to the end . Bringing everyone home . Never found out about Sam and now Ben AND Addison . Can we please have an ending.
We need to bring Sam Beckett home once for all
I would dearly love to see another season, but it did not end on a cliffhanger. The current ending is very satisfying. Indeed, it is perfect when you consider some of the things that are said immediately before the last scene.
But it still leaves Ben and Addison traveling through time and never gave a resolution for Sam Beckett’s fate. It may not technically be a cliffhanger, but a lot of storylines are unresolved.
Truth it did leave us hanging once again. I want sam and addison in ben home. I hope some of the network picks it up just 4 6 episodes or a movie maybe? With the cameo by sam at the end take note!
That’s what it means cliffhanger I thought
Ben and Addison are leaping through time, which is what they both want to be doing, and they’re getting to do it together. That is a happy ending! Them coming back to the present would mean Addison would have to give up her dream, and Ben would abandon the calling that he comes to appreciate by the end of Season 2.
Bakula likes Sam’s ending and doesn’t want to do another, which means that possibility is doomed.