In the ruthless world of television, getting axed usually spells the end for a series. But every now and then, a show defies the odds — and Manifest did just that.
Once a forgotten casualty of network television, this well-watched supernatural drama was brought back to life by Netflix, transforming it into one of the most-watched series available on the streaming platform right now.
Originally airing on NBC, Manifest tells the mind-bending story of Montego Air Flight 828, which takes off from Jamaica but mysteriously lands in New York five years later. For the passengers, no time has passed, but for the rest of the world, they were presumed dead.
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As they attempt to reintegrate into society, strange visions and unexplainable events start to unfold, leaving them entangled in a supernatural mystery.
Despite a devoted fan base that gave it 'cult classic' status, NBC pulled the plug after three seasons, leaving viewers hanging with an agonizing cliffhanger. But just when all hope seemed lost, Netflix swooped in — just like they had with other shows such as Lucifer — adding all previous seasons to its library and commissioning a two-part fourth season to properly conclude the story.
Melissa Roxburgh, who plays Michaela Stone, recalled her shock when she saw Manifest alongside Netflix juggernauts like Ozark and Better Call Saul. When talking to The Hollywood Reporter, she said: “I texted [showrunner] Jeff Rake and told him to turn on his TV,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “We were both like, where did this come from? We just couldn’t believe it.”
The decision to revive Manifest turned out to be a great move for the platform. The show quickly became a global sensation, skyrocketing to the #1 spot on Netflix and amassing millions of viewing hours. The first part of the final season alone racked up 57 million hours watched within just a few days of release.
For Roxburgh and the rest of the cast, the Netflix revival wasn’t just about tying up loose ends — it was about getting the send-off they deserved. She reflected on the difficulties of filming season three during the pandemic.
She said: “It was honestly horrible because it was still during peak Covid, so we couldn't do a wrap party or anything. So we just sort of wrapped the season and that was it. If we had ended the show there, we all would have been a little bit depressed — I’m happy that Netflix brought us back, not only to finish the story but to give everyone a proper goodbye.”
Netflix’s move to save Manifest didn’t just satisfy fans — it cemented the show’s legacy as one of the biggest TV comebacks ever. What started as a cancelled cult classic became another streaming hit, proving once again that Netflix can have good foresight when it comes to saved axed shows to give them the new life they deserve.