Creator of Highly Acclaimed 4-Season Sci-Fi Show Ignites Hopes With Fans for the Show’s Revival
Two years after ending its four-season run, Manifest is back in the conversation after becoming a hit on Netflix. The show, which mixes mystery and the supernatural, follows the passengers and crew of a missing flight who suddenly return after being presumed dead for more than five years.
Manifest first premiered on NBC in 2018 but was canceled after three seasons, leaving fans frustrated with a major cliffhanger. Creator Jeff Rake had originally planned the story to span six seasons, so he and the team hoped another platform would continue the series. Netflix quickly became the answer.
The show’s first two seasons debuted at number three on the streaming service and climbed to the top of its most-watched list, prompting Netflix to pick up a fourth and final season.
Rake recently marked 828 Day, named after the mysterious flight central to the story, with an Instagram post that hinted at a potential spin-off. He wrote, “Happy 828!!! I know so many of you are hoping for an announcement. No news yet but feeling excited. So grateful for the continuing support of our execs, producers, and all of YOU! Keep the faith.” The post included hashtags referencing Manifest and a possible spin-off, leaving fans hopeful that the story could continue.
After NBC canceled the show in June 2021, Rake shared his disappointment on social media. “I am devastated by NBC’s decision to cancel us. That we’ve been shut down in the middle is a gut punch to say the least. Hoping to find a new home. You fans deserve an ending to your story,” he tweeted.
Weeks later, he assured fans that the team was searching for a way to finish the story, even considering a two-hour film to resolve the season three cliffhanger. “There is a huge appetite for people wanting to know what’s that end of the story, what happened to the passengers, what ultimately happened to that airplane,” Rake told Entertainment Weekly.
Negotiations with Netflix and Warner Bros. Television eventually led to a fourth season of 20 episodes, released in two volumes. Many original cast members returned, and several actors were promoted to series regulars.
The first volume of season four launched in November 2022, with the second following in June 2023. In August 2024, Rake revealed that he and his team were developing a potential spin-off.
When it first aired, critics gave mixed reviews. Rotten Tomatoes reported a 56% approval rating for season one, noting that “Manifest’s attempts to balance supernatural mystery and melodrama largely work thanks to its well-chosen cast — though it could use a few more distinguishing characteristics.” Metacritic gave it a 55 out of 100. By the fourth season, critics had warmed up, with Rotten Tomatoes scoring it 86%.
Manifest’s journey shows how fan support and streaming platforms can give a canceled series a second life. With Rake still exploring spin-off ideas, fans may get more from the world of flight 828.
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