Netflix has turned a once-canceled series into one of its most-watched shows in the world.
While the streaming platform is known for canceling popular shows – it has also previously given struggling programs new life.
This includes a TV series about the passengers and crew of a commercial flight who suddenly reappear after going missing for five and a half years.
And now fans are calling it the ‘best show’ on Netflix.
The show originally aired in 2018 and was distributed by NBC.
Three seasons of the show aired on the network before it was canceled in June 2021, shelving a proposed fourth season, despite the third series ending on a cliffhanger.
However, in August 2021, Netflix picked up the rights to the program and greenlit season four.
Since appearing on the streaming service, it has become one of its most-watched shows, with a viewership number of over 57 million, according to Variety.
The first part of season four – which is supposed to be the finale – came out in November 2022 and the second half of the series dropped in June 2023.
Since the second part of the season has dropped on Netflix, it has found itself a loyal new fanbase.
Fans of the series have taken to social media to react to the show, with one person saying: “The series finale was actually really good. Glad they decided to finish the show.”
Another adds: “That ending was perfect. By far one of the best shows, I’ve ever watched.”
While a third fan comments: “Thank you Netflix. Fans owe you a debt of gratitude. I love this show.”
“This is truly one of the greatest shows I’ve ever watched,” insists somebody else.
Melissa Roxburgh, who plays Michaela Stone in the show, has spoken to The Hollywood Reporter about the series being initially canceled and then revitalized.
When asked how she felt about her show being dropped and what the process was like while negotiations between NBC and Netflix happened, she said: “There were a good two to three months of emotional downs when we knew we were getting canceled but hadn’t gotten the official word.
“Then once Netflix came into the picture, there was another month’s worth of ups and downs because we didn’t know what that exactly meant or what it would look like.
“There were talks about an hour-long movie, about six episodes just to wrap things up. By the time we heard we were getting 20 episodes, we’d been angry, happy, sad, all of it.
“It was an obvious yes because it was the best offer for the show.”
Roxburgh adds that she felt like the show had much more creative ‘freedom’ once Netflix acquired Manifest.
The actress added: “They had their input, but there was just a lot more trust and freedom from Netflix as opposed to NBC.”
Manifest is available to stream on Netflix right now.
Watch the trailer below…
