Ernie Hudson is leaping aboard NBC’s revival/sequel series Quantum Leap. Last week, it was revealed that Raymond Lee had been cast in the lead role as Dr. Ben Seong, the spiritual successor to Scott Bakula’s Dr. Sam Beckett from the original. Hudson’s character, Herbert “Magic” Williams, is a Vietnam vet and the head of the Quantum Leap program. He is also said to be a lead character.
The Next Leap Back
In the original series, there were only two leads, Bakula and Dean Stockwell. Stockwell played Al Calavicci, Sam’s anchor and guide who lived in the show’s present and appeared to him in the form of a hologram that only Sam could see. Now it’s possible the revival may deviate from the original storyline. If not, it only makes sense that Hudson’s “Magic” will serve in the Al role.
In the pilot, Seong finds himself in the late 1980s with amnesia. The latest news is:
“Using a bit of politicking and his military know-how to keep the Pentagon at bay, Magic buys the team some time to rescue Ben but expects answers once he’s back.”
But will he even be back? The entire first series shows Sam “leaping” into the bodies of various people (I think almost entirely in the 20th century because… TV budgets) at pivotal times to help change their lives for the better.
For the record, this new Quantum Leap exists in the same continuity as the original. Negotiations are underway to get Bakula back in some capacity.
La Brea EPs Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt are writing and executive producing the revival series. Blindspot creator Martin Gero is also serving as an EP. Original Quantum Leap creator/EP Don Bellisario and EP/co-narrator Deborah Platt are also serving as EPs on the new show. (Fun fact: Platt was the voice of the computer, Ziggy, who helped Sam and Al figure out what needed to be set right during each of the leaps.)
Ernie Hudson already has a packed TV schedule. He fronts the BET series The Family Business, which has been renewed for a fourth season. He will be joining Showtime’s City on a Hill for its third season. Hudson was recently seen on the big screen, reprising his iconic role as Winston Zeddemore in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. He will next be seen in the Nicholas Cage action-thriller The Retirement Plan.
Check back for updates on Quantum Leap as they arrive!
