Netflix has carved out a significant niche as a top streaming service, yet it’s also notorious for axing popular shows, much to the dismay of viewers.
Conversely, the platform has also been a savior for series that were on the brink of cancellation by other networks.
In essence, you win some, you lose some; it’s a mixed bag.
One notable instance of Netflix reviving a cancelled show stands out due to the substantial turnaround it achieved.
Perhaps the most striking example of this is the show Manifest, which centers on the passengers and crew of a commercial flight that reappears after being missing for five years.
“When a commercial airliner suddenly reappears after being missing for five years, those aboard must reintegrate into society,” reads the official synopsis for the TV show.
The story follows Montego Air Flight 828 from Montego Bay, Jamaica, to John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, which took off in April 2013.
The flight was not seen again until November 2018.
Upon landing in New York, the passengers and crew were informed by government officials that they had been missing for five and a half years and were presumed dead.
Initially, Manifest aired on NBC in 2018, but the network decided to cancel the series after three seasons despite a proposal for a fourth season.
However, in August 2021, just a few months after NBC canceled Manifest in June 2021, Netflix acquired the rights and approved a fourth season.
Since its transition to Netflix, Manifest has garnered immense popularity, ranking among the most-watched series on the platform.
A 2022 Variety report indicated that the opening episodes of season four amassed 57.1 million hours of viewing time within its first three days of release.
The season concluded in June this year, marking the end of the drama.
Nevertheless, with some fans hailing it as the ‘best’ Netflix show, the future remains open-ended.
Manifest season four boasts an impressive 88 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, underscoring its success on Netflix.
Nicole Gallucci from Decider commented, “Trust us. Manifest pulls out all the stops in its final batch of episodes to prove itself worthy of surviving its own Death Date back in 2021.”
Jay Snow from Collider wrote, “Manifest is back and better than ever, fully taking advantage of its new life on Netflix to keep everyone on the edge of their seats until the final moment of this flight.”
Lauren Piester from The Wrap added, “Manifest Season 4 will not disappoint fans of the show, though it is likely to break their hearts and/or get those hearts racing.”