The show’s episode tally leaps from twelve to eighteen.

Despite no sign of it landing in the UK, the revived Quantum Leap has opened to great success in the States.

Though widely reported as a reboot, the show is really more of a sequel. Set some thirty years after the original, it follows the story of Dr Ben Song; the scientist revives the time travel project hoping to discover its mysteries and the fate of the man behind it.

As enduring fans of the original, which ran between 1989 – 1993 on NBC, we’ve keenly followed the revival’s progress.

While there have been a few production bumps in the road, including a showrunner shuffle and a second pilot, Quantum Leap appears to be doing well. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show has impressed in the crucial 18 – 49 demographic and become a top 5 programme on its streaming home of Peacock.

Doubtless these metrics have encouraged the network to commission six further episodes, bringing the first season tally up to 18.

Scott Bakula

While there’s still no suggestion of original star Scott Bakula becoming involved in the show, a fact he clarified on the eve of its launch, he did wish them “… good luck and happy leaping.”

Various stars of the show, plus showrunner Martin Gero (in a recent interview with Collider), have emphasised that the door remains open. Gero said:

“I will respectfully always ask him to do the show. I have a very, very good idea that [original producer] Deborah (Pratt) knows about and that [show creator] Don (Bellisario) knows about. I think it could be really exciting. But I also completely respect his wishes. He knows our enthusiasm for him. He knows our enthusiasm, our love, and our reverence for the old show. It’s a no right now. It would be pretty amazing to have him back, but I don’t know what that timeline looks like, or even if it’s possible.”

At the risk of being cynical, we’d imagine the show being a hit won’t hurt either!

Quantum Leap stars Raymond Lee, Ernie Hudson, Nanrisa Lee, Mason Alexander Park and Catlin Bassett. The show airs on NBC and streams on Peacock in the US, with episodes landing on Mondays.

There’s still no definite confirmation of a UK broadcaster. Possibly it will land on Peacock over here too, whose content is available via Sky.

Of course, we’ll keep you posted.