Cult Classic Reborn: NBC's Sci-Fi Darling Gets Netflix Revival in 2027

Few experiences can compare to the dread of an airplane catastrophe, a premise widely explored in thrillers from "Air Force One" to Apple TV's "Masters of the Air." Yet, NBC's "Manifest" presented a uniquely bizarre take on this fear, quickly becoming a fan-favorite series.

"Manifest" premiered in 2018 with a compelling storyline: passengers on Montego Air Flight 828 from Jamaica to New York City experience severe turbulence, only to land and discover they have been presumed dead for over five years. Starring Melissa Roxburgh and Josh Dallas, the series garnered a loyal following through its three-season run. Despite its popularity, NBC canceled the series in June 2021 due citing network ratings models. However, streaming giant Netflix stepped in, rescuing the show and propelling the story of Flight 828 to new heights on its platform.

Netflix is now set to further expand the "Manifest" universe with a spin-off titled "Arrivals: A New Manifest Mystery," which was greenlit in late August 2026. Jeff Rake, the original series creator, will return as executive producer, co-creator, and co-showrunner, joined by "Manifest" veterans Margaret Easley and Laura Putney. Production for "Arrivals" is scheduled to commence in Vancouver, British Columbia, filming from January 19th, 2027, to June 9th, 2027, with episodes expected to run around 60 minutes each.

Character breakdowns for "Arrivals" reveal a new ensemble. Zoe, a smart, compassionate, and courageous social worker, will lead the series, having grown up in the foster system. Mike Deaver, a former Air Force helicopter pilot now with the Department of Homeland Security, is another key figure. Other series regulars include Billy, Zoe’s wealthy ex-boyfriend, and Sloane, a tough, loving, resourceful, and cautious character with a pulmonary condition. Wes and Selena, who share a history, live off the grid with Joe, whom Wes has raised for years. Director Gary Bolton, a by-the-book DHS director, and Francisco, a hardworking family man, are part of the recurring cast.

The logline for "Arrivals: A New Manifest Mystery" teases: "When a mysterious plane crash-lands in Denver, the passengers emerge with no memory of who they are, where they came from, or why they’re here. A young social worker and a novice Homeland Security agent team up with the new arrivals in an attempt to stop a humanity-ending catastrophe, discovering along the way that they are all part of the very puzzle they’re trying to solve." While the series is in development at Netflix, a release date has not yet been announced.

In related content from Collider, an engaging "Sci-Fi Survival Quiz" invites readers to test their instincts against five iconic dystopian or galactic worlds: The Matrix, Mad Max, Blade Runner, Dune, and Star Wars. This eight-question quiz delves into instincts, resource management, threats, authority, environment, alliances, morality, and purpose to determine which sci-fi universe a participant is best equipped to survive. The results offer personalized insights, describing the characteristics that would make someone a survivor in the simulated reality of The Matrix, the brutal wasteland of Mad Max, the neon-noir streets of Blade Runner, the unforgiving deserts of Arrakis in Dune, or the politically tumultuous galaxy far, far away in Star Wars. Each outcome highlights specific survival traits, from system-breaking intelligence to unwavering loyalty or sheer resilience.