Most of the cast members of Manifest inked new deals to return for the series’ final season at Netflix but one person was left out of the returning lineup. Matt Long, who plays Zeke Landon on the show, booked another pilot on NBC called Getaway which made his return a bit more complicated. Well, rest easy Manifest fans, Matt Long has officially confirmed he will be back for the final season but how many episodes is still unknown.
Long was interviewed backstage at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday and that’s when the actor confirmed the news of his return. Here is what he had to say:
“I will be back for some of it, we’re trying to find out the maximum I can do. I love the character in the show so much, but as you know, when the show was canceled I booked another show. It was a pilot. We don’t know what’s happening with it yet. It’s also a really awesome project. So we’re just trying to work out schedules. Everybody wants the best thing for everyone so fingers crossed it all works out for the best.”
Josh Dallas, Melissa Roxburgh, and J.R. Ramirez already closed their new deals on the eve of the series’ resurrection on August 28. Newly closed deals included returns for Parveen Kaur, Luna Blaise, and Holly Taylor. Additionally, Ty Doran, who guest-starred as an older version of Cal Stone in one of the big twists during the season 3 finale, will be joining the cast as a series regular. (SPOILERS AHEAD IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED). With Doran joining as a series regular, this means that young Jack Messina is leaving the series as Doran will be taking over playing the character of Cal Stone. He leaves the show alongside Athena Karkanis who played Cal and Oliver’s (Blaise) mom. Long was the lone wild card left in the cast due to his commitment to the new pilot and potential series at NBC but it appears they’re all working that out as we speak. Long went on to comment on the incredible fan support that helped save the series for a final season at Netflix:
“It’s so surreal, it just doesn’t happen, right? It’s just been the most incredible experience. I joined the show episode 12 in the first season, and from the very beginning, it’s just been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career. I love my character so much. After it was canceled, it was heartbreaking. But then we got picked up by Netflix, it’s so much more than we ever could’ve dreamed of. I can’t wait to get back to it it and see everybody and be a part of the story again.”
Manifest focuses on Montego Air Flight 828, which landed safely after a turbulent but routine flight. The crew and passengers are relieved to be safe but in the span of those few hours, the world had aged five years and their friends, families, and colleagues, after mourning their loss, had given up hope and moved on. Now, faced with the impossible, they’re all given a second chance. But as their new realities become clear, a deeper mystery unfolds, and some of the returned passengers soon realize they might be meant for something greater than they ever thought possible. The series stars Josh Dallas, Jack Messina, Athena Karkanis, Melissa Roxburgh, JR Ramirez, Luna Blaise, Parveen Kaur, and Matt Long.
Are YOU happy Matt Long is returning for the final season of Manifest?