The science fiction series “Quantum Leap” on NBC was created by Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt and is a remake of the same-named program that ran from 1989 to 1993. Dr. Ben Song is in charge of a group of scientists working to resurrect the project and solve the mystery of Dr. Sam Beckett’s disappearance, which occurred thirty years after the scientist disappeared into the Quantum Leap Accelerator. He does, however, covertly use an updated accelerator and a fresh software code to go back in time. Ben tries to get back to the present as he becomes caught in the past, similar to Sam. His fiancée, Addison, helps him by acting as a hologram and acting as his guide.
The series’ creator has transformed the classic “Quantum Leap” into a fresh and avant-garde story for the modern era. The idea of both the original series and its revival is that experiments go awry. The following suggestions are perfect if you want to binge watch more episodes that were innovative for their day and were drenched in time travel stories. The majority of these programs like “Quantum Leap” are available to stream on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.
12 Monkeys (2015-2018)
James Cole, a time traveler from 2043 who is sent back to the present, is the main character of “12 Monkeys.” He must stop a terrible virus from spreading so that it doesn’t eventually kill out the majority of people. James comes into Dr. Cassandra Railly, a scientist, and an organization known as the Army of the 12 Monkeys while trying to find the virus’s origin and stop it from spreading. They are associated with the virus and the circumstances that led up to it.
The science fiction television series is a remake of the same-named 1995 movie, which was in turn influenced by the 1962 French short film “La Jetée.” The films “Quantum Leap” and “12 Monkeys” are renowned for their intricate, multi-layered plots, potent acting, and examination of concepts like time and fate.
Dark (2017-2020)
Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese are the creators of the science fiction program “Dark,” which transports viewers to the German village of Winden. The disappearance of a little boy sets off a chain of events that reveals the town’s troubled past and how its citizens’ lives are interwoven. Several characters are followed by the show in several timelines.
Residents of Winden endeavor to solve the mystery of the disappearance and its relation to a number of unusual events that have occurred in the town from the 1980s to the present and the future. The characters learn that their families and pasts are connected by a web of falsehoods as they carry out their investigation. They now have to face the dark truth about who they are and the people in their lives. The German program also shares with “Quantum Leap” the complexity of time travel and its nuanced effects.
Journeyman (2007)
The science fiction series “Journeyman,” created by Kevin Falls, stars Kevin McKidd as Dan Vasser, a San Francisco newspaper writer who learns he can travel across time. He appears in various places and eras due to his involuntary time travel. Dan uses his travels to try and assist the people he meets and solve the issues he runs into as he strives to comprehend and control his talent.
Dan’s time travel, though, also creates issues in his personal life, such as his interactions with his wife, kid, and brother. Like “Quantum Leap,” this program also examines the themes of fate, destiny, and the results of one’s deeds, as well as the effects of time travel on interpersonal relationships.
Outlander (2014- )
The historical drama series “Outlander,” created by Ronald D. Moore, is based on the Diana Gabaldon book series of the same name. Claire Randall, a married World War II nurse who suddenly travels back to 1743, is the main character of the episode. While in the past, Claire encounters a young Scottish warrior named Jamie Fraser while being thrust into the Jacobite uprisings.
Claire and Jamie fall in love and become involved in the historical and political events of the time despite being from different eras. They also look for a method to get back to their own time and be with their loved ones. Time travel drives the series’ events and advances the plot, just like it does in all the other shows on the list. Furthermore, like Ben and Addison in “Quantum Leap,” the love of the main couple drives “Outlander.”
Paper Girls (2022)
The science fiction drama series “Paper Girls” is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Brian K. Vaughan. It is a Stephany Folsom creation that focuses on the lives of four paper girls. On Halloween in 1988, as they start their paper route, they become trapped by time travelers and their arguments. This unexpectedly alters everything about their life.
The little friends arrive early and run into their grown-up counterparts. As a result, they band together to devise a plan to save the world. The four main characters of “Paper Girls” also unknowingly journey across time, just like Ben in “Quantum Leap.” These people all successfully manage the peculiar circumstances that develop in their individual storylines.
Russian Doll (2019- )
The comedy-drama series “Russian Doll” was created by Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler. Nadia Vulvokov, the protagonist, is a young lady who finds herself continuously repeating the same day because she is caught in an enigmatic and bizarre time loop. She runs into a number of personalities who are all dealing with their own problems, such as addiction, mental health concerns, and relationship difficulties as she seeks to solve the mystery of the time loop and escape.
Along the journey, Nadia gains the ability to face her past and accept the circumstances that caused her to get caught in the time loop. Additionally, while the genres and overarching plots of “Russian Doll” and “Quantum Leap” may be different, the primary ideas that unite both novels are time travel and a variety of characters the protagonist meets in his separate time loops.
Tales From the Loop (2020)
Tales from the Loop is a science fiction television series that Nathaniel Halpern co-wrote and created. It is based on Simon Stlenhag’s graphic book of the same name. It takes place in a little Ohio town where a mysterious research facility called the Loop has an impact on the lives of the locals. In a world where the lines between science and the supernatural are hazy, each episode is a stand-alone story that tackles the themes of love, loss, and the search for connection. Time travel therefore has a significant impact on both “Quantum Leap” and “Tales from the Loop.” The programs also feature representations of science fiction and its outcomes.
Timeless (2016-2018)
The science fiction series “Timeless” was conceived by Shawn Ryan and Eric Kripke. To stop a mystery criminal from changing the course of history, a group of time-travelers must pursue him through the ages. While attempting to keep one step ahead of the criminal and his organization, the show follows them as they travel to various historical eras and come into contact with historical individuals and events.
Along the journey, the time-travelers must deal with moral and personal dilemmas brought on by their missions and the possible outcomes of changing the past. Both “Quantum Leap” and “Timeless” deal with the complexities of characters moving across various timelines. The characters of the episodes also eventually gain control of their skills.
Travelers (2016-2018)
In the science fiction series “Travelers,” which Brad Wright devised, a crew of “travelers” from the future are transported back in time to the 21st century to avert a catastrophe. Each traveler is given a particular goal, which they must complete while attempting to blend in and keep their cover in the present.
The travelers struggle to finish their duties as they run into obstacles and difficult to resolve issues. Time travel, fate, and the effects of one’s actions are some of the themes the show addresses. ‘Quantum Leap’ also depicts related subjects. In addition, the shows demonstrate how the main characters must make things right in order to survive.
Tru Calling (2003-2005)
In the Jon Harmon Feldman film “Tru Calling,” Eliza Dushku plays Tru Davies, a medical student who learns she has the ability to go back in time and try to stop someone from dying. In each episode of the science fiction mystery program, she is called by a “dead person of the day” and sent back in time to the day of their passing.
Tru must then devise a plan to stop the death from happening and attempt to alter the course of events. She struggles along the way with the challenges of time travel and staying alive. In a similar vein, “Quantum Leap” illustrates how difficult and knowledge-intensive time travel is.
