Not many can say they directly benefited from the pandemic. But Jeff Rake, the creator of “Manifest,” certainly can, as can the series’ large legion of fans. The supernatural drama debuted on NBC in the fall of 2018 and, though popular with viewers, ultimately proved too expensive for the network to produce and was canceled just a few days after the season three finale aired in June 2021. But, in a unique twist of fate, the program hit Netflix that same month, at a time when people were still largely hunkering down at home and growing ever more hungry for distracting entertainment. “Manifest” fit that bill nicely, quickly proving a gripping binge. As the Tudum website details, “The show’s viewing numbers hit record highs. Seasons 1 and 2 of the drama stayed on Netflix’s Top 10 English language TV list for multiple weeks throughout the summer and attracted more than 100 million hours of views globally in July 2021.” The streamer took note of the sudden popularity, announcing in August that it had picked up the series for one super-sized final season consisting of 20 episodes.
Longtime fans can now rejoice as a release date for the first part of that season has finally been scheduled. The initial ten eps will premiere on November 4. The date is, of course, meaningful, as everything in the “Manifest” world seems to be. For those who have yet to become captivated by Ben Stone (Josh Dallas), his son, Cal (Jack Messina), and sister, Michaela (Melissa Roxburgh), the series centers around the trio’s journey on Montego Air Flight 828, which takes off from Montego Bay, Jamaica on April 7, 2013, only to land in Newburg, New York five years, six months and 28 days later. The ill-fated 191 souls onboard touch down on November 4, 2018, wholly unaware of the time jump, yet returning to a changed world and loved ones who have largely moved on in their absence. The tale only becomes more mysterious as the passengers begin experiencing what they dub “callings,” otherworldly requests beseeching them to perform various virtuous acts.
“Manifest” makes for a thrilling ride, to say the least, and season four promises to be the most turbulent yet! Though Rake originally envisioned the saga of Flight 828 to be told over the course of six seasons, the cancellation and subsequent Netflix pickup forced him to condense the proposed final three seasons into just 20 episodes.
Jumping ahead two years, season four will not only confront – and hopefully answer – the myriad mysteries concerning Flight 828, but the passengers’ impending death date, Cal’s sudden five-year age progression and Ben’s grief over (spoiler!) losing both his wife, Grace (Athena Karkanis), and their baby, Eden (Penelope Rose Lang). So buckle up because it’s going to be a bumpy and unpredictable journey!
In truth, nothing regarding “Manifest” is immune from unpredictability – not even the series’ central location, the Stone residence. As eagle-eyed viewers have likely noticed, the family has actually called two different pads home throughout the show’s three-year run. And both can be found in suburban Queens, exactly where the storyline purports them to be.
