Creator of ‘Manifest’ Ignites Hopes for the Show’s Revival Spinoff
Two years after its four-season run ended, Manifest is back in the spotlight thanks to Netflix.
The supernatural drama, which follows the passengers and crew of a missing airplane who reappear after being presumed dead for over five years, has found new life with the streaming audience.
The show originally premiered on NBC in 2018 but was canceled after three seasons. Its cliffhanger ending left fans frustrated, especially since creator Jeff Rake had originally planned a six-season story.
After the show landed on Netflix, it quickly became a hit. The first two seasons debuted at number three on the platform and then climbed to become one of the most-watched series, prompting Netflix to pick up a fourth and final season.
Jeff Rake, the show’s creator, recently took to Instagram to celebrate 828 Day, named after the flight number central to the series’ plot.
While fans were hoping for big news about the future of the franchise on August 28, Rake didn’t reveal any major updates but expressed his excitement. “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,” he wrote, adding hashtags referencing Manifest and a possible spin-off.
Rake has long expressed his hope to continue the story after the NBC cancellation. On June 15, 2021, he tweeted, “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.” Weeks later, he assured fans that the team was trying to find a way to wrap up the series, even suggesting the possibility of a two-hour film to tie up loose ends from season three.
“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.
After ongoing discussions between Warner Bros., NBC, and Netflix, the show was renewed for a 20-episode fourth season, split into two volumes. The season brought back many of the original cast members, with some new faces joining and others promoted to regular roles.
The first volume was released on November 4, 2022, and the second on June 2, 2023. In August 2024, Rake shared that he and his writing team were still developing a potential spin-off.
When the show first aired, it received 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 scored it 55 out of 100, signaling average reception. By season four, critics’ response had improved significantly, with Rotten Tomatoes giving the final season an 86% approval rating.
Manifest’s journey from cancellation to streaming success highlights how fan support and new platforms can give shows a second chance. With Rake hinting at future stories, fans may not have seen the last of flight 828.
What do you think? Would you watch a Manifest spin-off or continuation? Share your thoughts in the comments.