NBC’s Manifest writers and creators are fighting to change their destiny. NBC announced yesterday that they opted out of renewing the missing plane drama series for a fourth season. The decision came down June 14, on Monday night, just hours before the options on the cast were to expire today. “My dear Manifesters, I’m devastated by NBC’s decision to cancel us,” showrunner Jeff Rake shared late Monday night on Twitter. “That we’ve been shut down in the middle [of a planned six-season run] is a gut punch to say the least. Hoping to find a new home. You, the fans, deserve an ending to your story. Thanks for the love shown to me, cast, and crew. #savemanifest.” The unfortunate news comes amid Manifest’s strong showing on Netflix where it has been #1 in the U.S. for the past three days.
My dear Manifesters,
I’m 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 the fans deserve an ending to your story. Thanks for the love shown to me, cast, and crew. #savemanifest
— Jeff Rake (@jeff_rake) June 15, 2021
The show was canceled just days after a cliffhanger-filled finale. Manifest, from Warner Bros. TV and Universal TV, was the highest-rated on linear among NBC’s four bubble shows by a wide margin, especially in regards to total viewers. Out of the 14 dramas that NBC aired this TV season, the mystery drama ranked No. 7 in the demo eating out the renewed shows New Amsterdam and The Blacklist. They’ve also ranked 10th in total audience. Manifest was conceived by creator Rake and was sold to NBC with a six-season plan that has been mapped out. That plan — and fans’ three years of devoted following — will fall through unless another network or platform steps in to pick up the series following its cancellation by NBC.
Sad news! We are doing so well on Netflix! Welcome new fans! #manifest #savemanifest https://t.co/ahdvI49BKm
— Manifest Writers' Room (@ManifestRoom) June 15, 2021
Fans were confused as to why NBC would make this drastic decision when the show was doing so well on the streaming platform. The creators of the series even acknowledged that they’d fight for the series especially for all the new fans that came via Netflix. Manifest premiered in September 2018, focused on Montego Air Flight 828, a plane that landed safely after a turbulent but routine flight. The crew and passengers were relieved, but in the span of those few hours, the world had aged five years, and their friends, families, and colleagues — after mourning their loss — had given up hope and moved on. Now, faced with the impossible, they’re all given a second chance. But as their new realities become clear, a deeper mystery unfolds, and some of the returned passengers soon realize they might be meant for something greater than they ever thought possible. The hit series abrupt cancellation has die-hard fans confused and upset.
