Picture: Netflix / Warner Bros. Television
It’s now been two years since Netflix released the final season of Manifest. This show defied all expectations by being licensed to Netflix and gaining immense popularity, prompting the streamer to revive the show from its NBC cancellation status, resulting in a bumper final season. Since then, season 5 or even a spin-off has been long teased. Here’s a timeline of that, along with the most recent update, which gives us hope that more may be on the way.
I won’t rehash the story of Netflix’s revival of Manifest, as we’ve covered it extensively over the years. Although season 4 ended rather conclusively, that hasn’t stopped speculation about the show’s continuation. After all, it continues to attract millions of views on Netflix every year. In fact, we’ve done the math and, according to the Netflix Engagement Reports, between 2023 and 2024, all four seasons collectively garnered a whopping 1.184 billion viewing hours, which equates to approximately 99.90 million views. If you bear in mind that season 4 was released in the latter half of 2023, that’s incredible legs on a series that’s now concluded.
Speaking to Monica Gleberman on the Silence on Set podcast in June 2023, actor Josh Dallas initiated the first batch of rumors about a sequel, citing that a scene had been cut from the final edit that set up a Marvel-like tease for more to come.
“There is somewhere out there a secret scene that was going to be like post-credits,” Dallas revealed during his interview on the Silence on Set podcast. “I was not in it. But it did include some very key characters to our story. And who knows if it ever finds the light of day. Maybe it will be somewhere on Netflix or something like that.”
While details of the scene remain under wraps, Dallas’s excitement was unmistakable. The scene, he said, was shot with a Marvel-style teaser in mind, suggesting the potential for more stories in the Manifest universe. That possibility became even more tantalizing as he hinted that a sequel or spinoff may already be stirring behind the scenes.
“As far as the sequel goes, you know, I’m not going to lie. I’ve definitely heard rumblings,” he admitted. “There are rumblings of talking. I know there’s only talking. So I don’t know what it would be… Maybe it’s in the future. Maybe it’s Eden at 21 years old. I don’t know.”
Dallas’s willingness to return to the role of Ben Stone is clear. He made it known that he’d be ready to suit up again in a heartbeat if series creator Jeff Rake gave the word. “If Jeff Rake wants the right word that he wants me to say, I am there anytime, anywhere he wants.”
The finale of Manifest felt more like a new beginning than a farewell, and that’s precisely how Dallas sees it. “The very end, it’s not the end. It’s actually the beginning,” he said. “And I think it’s a new beginning. It’s the start of a whole new story… They get that thing that we all wish we could have sometimes — and that’s the second chance. But a second chance with the knowledge of everything that came before.”
During the San Diego Comic-Con 2024 Panel – Manifest: Enter the GLOW One More Time in August 2024, the spin-off came up multiple times. Although the panel consisted of mostly fans Laura Putney, longtime Manifest writer and co-writer of the series finale, was on hand to talk about development of the spin-off. She confirmed that the creative team is indeed exploring a spin-off. “I can tell you that we are hard at work trying to make this spin-off happen,” she said, generating applause and excitement from the room. “We’re having a lot of fun with it. Thinking some big thoughts.”
Putney made it clear that fan enthusiasm plays a significant role in advancing the idea. “With a fan base like this, with people still coming out and caring about Manifest and carrying the flag — fingers crossed,” she said. “And thank you, fans, because you’re the reason we got where we are. And you’re the reason if we get a spin-off, it’ll be because of the fans.”
Also in August 2024, writer and creator of the show, Jeff Rake, posted on social media addressing the long-rumored follow-up:
“MANIFEST UPDATE
Hey Manifesters! I know. It’s been a long time.
No green light yet, but fyi my partners and I are working nonstop to bring you the spinoff you deserve. Keep the faith.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 828!!!”
That follows numerous cast members using the phrase “Keep the faith!” when referring to the show’s future. Exactly what form a new season would take is unclear, although Rake has repeatedly called what he was working on a “spinoff”.
Rake has answered fans on numerous occasions about the process of continuing the show:
- In November 2024, Rake answered a fan who asked, “I have a question regarding setting up a #Manifestspinoff: do you have to write a script, present it to Netflix and wait for them to accept it, or does Netflix have to give you the green light first to offer them something?” to which Rake responded, “Somewhere in the middle.”
- In response to the piece from Deadline, Rake posted a reply on X stating that if there were to be any revival, continuation, or spin-off, it would be with Netflix.
In 2025, we received an update of sorts courtesy of a Deadline interview with Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group, who was asked explicitly whether there would be more Manifest. The answer was: “Never say never!”
That brings us to now. June 2025. On June 2nd, Jeff Rake posted an ominous update on his social media page, stating, “Not dead yet,” alongside the poster for Manifest’s final season, featuring the Netflix logo. The timing of the post directly ties to the second anniversary of Season 4’s release on Netflix in 2023, as well as the date being significant in the show’s lore, aligning with Flight 828’s Death Date. Whether it means something is in the works or otherwise is unclear.
If you’re a fan of the show, there are two active accounts on X, “@RenewManifest” and “@SaveManifest,” that are very active in promoting the show and constantly scouring the internet for the latest details. We recommend following them for the latest, and of course, if we hear anything, we’ll keep you posted.
