The Manifest universe is expanding. Netflix has greenlighted Arrivals: A New Manifest Mystery, a sci-fi drama set in the universe of Manifest featuring a new cast of characters and storylines. The announcement came on a date that fans will immediately recognise — August 28th (8/28), a reference to flight 828, a significant number in the original show.
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The Story So Far: What Is Manifest?
Manifest premiered in 2018 on NBC and ran for three seasons before being cancelled in 2021. Netflix then picked it up for a two-part fourth season that aired in 2022 and 2023.
The series followed a passenger plane caught in turbulence that seemingly transported its passengers more than five years into the future. The show became a global phenomenon on Netflix, drawing in millions of new viewers after its original NBC run.
Quick Facts: Arrivals: A New Manifest Mystery
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Show Title | Arrivals: A New Manifest Mystery |
| Type | Spinoff / Sci-Fi Drama |
| Network / Platform | Netflix |
| Announcement Date | August 28, 2026 |
| Creator | Jeff Rake |
| Co-Showrunners | Margaret Easley & Laura Putney |
| Studio | Warner Bros. Television |
| Setting | Denver |
| Original Series | Manifest (2018–2023) |
| Cast | New Cast (Original Cast Return Unconfirmed) |
What Is Arrivals: A New Manifest Mystery About?
The official logline reads: “When a mysterious plane crash-lands in Denver, the passengers emerge with no memory of who they are, where they came from, or why they’re here. A young social worker and a novice Homeland Security agent team up with the new arrivals in an attempt to stop a humanity-ending catastrophe, discovering along the way that they are all part of the very puzzle they’re trying to solve.”
Arrivals marks a new chapter, introducing a new cast of characters and storylines set in a world designed to appeal to both Manifest fans and newcomers. While following a new set of characters, the premise promises the same addictive, puzzle-box mystery that made the flagship series a massive hit.
The Creative Team Behind Arrivals
The spinoff comes from Manifest creator, executive producer and showrunner Jeff Rake, alongside co-executive producers Margaret Easley and Laura Putney — the trio serving as co-creators, executive producers, and showrunners of Arrivals, with Warner Bros. TV back as the studio.
The trio will serve as co-creators, co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers.
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Creator & Showrunner | Jeff Rake |
| Co-Creator & Co-Showrunner | Margaret Easley |
| Co-Creator & Co-Showrunner | Laura Putney |
| Studio | Warner Bros. Television |
| Platform | Netflix |
What Jeff Rake Says About the Spinoff
Jeff Rake has been vocal about his excitement for this new chapter. Rake told Netflix’s Tudum, “I’m delighted to be able to tell a new story for the Manifest fans out there and also for a brand-new audience. It’s been five long years since we showed up on Netflix.“
He also emphasised the depth of partnership within the creative team. He noted that Laura Putney and Margaret Easley have been his trusted colleagues for over a decade, stating that their contribution to the Manifest mothership cannot be overstated and that it was a no-brainer to make them his partners on this spinoff.
Will the Original Manifest Cast Return?
It is not yet confirmed whether Arrivals will see the stars of Manifest — led by Melissa Roxburgh and Josh Dallas as siblings Michaela and Ben Stone — reprise their roles from the 2018–2023 series.
With the Arrivals: A New Manifest Mystery title, Netflix seems to be taking a page from its playbook on another franchise, Knives Out, whose followups were titled Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. It is unclear from the logline what exactly the spinoff’s connection to the original series would be.
Original Series vs. Spinoff: A Comparison
| Element | Manifest (Original) | Arrivals: A New Manifest Mystery |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | NBC → Netflix | Netflix |
| Seasons | 4 (3 NBC + 1 Netflix) | Ordered (In Development) |
| Setting | New York & Beyond | Denver |
| Cast | Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas | New Cast |
| Creator | Jeff Rake | Jeff Rake |
| Genre | Supernatural Drama | Sci-Fi Drama |
| Premiered | 2018 | TBA |
Netflix’s Statement
Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of scripted series for the U.S. and Canada, said: “We are thrilled to expand the Manifest universe with Arrivals, led by the original creative team of Jeff Rake, Margaret Easley, and Laura Putney.”
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FAQs
What is Arrivals: A New Manifest Mystery?
Arrivals: A New Manifest Mystery is a Netflix sci-fi spinoff of Manifest, set in the same universe but with an entirely new cast and storyline centred around a mysterious plane crash in Denver.
Who is creating the Arrivals spinoff?
Helming Arrivals will be original Manifest creator and showrunner Jeff Rake, who will be joined by original series co-executive producers Margaret Easley and Laura Putney, who will now serve as co-creators and co-showrunners as well.
Is Arrivals a reboot or a continuation?
The new series will be set in the same world as the original series but follow a new group of characters — making it a spinoff rather than a direct continuation or reboot.
When was Arrivals announced?
Exactly five years after Netflix officially resurrected the beloved supernatural drama following its NBC cancellation, the streamer announced that the Manifest universe is expanding. The announcement was made on August 28, 2026.
Will Arrivals be on Netflix?
Yes. Arrivals: A New Manifest Mystery has been officially greenlit by Netflix, with Warner Bros. Television returning as the production studio. A release date has not yet been announced.
