‘Quantum Leap’ — See the Original Cast Then and Now, Plus Get To Know the Stars of the Reboot!
Plus, find out which star is involved in both series!
The original Quantum Leap cast first appeared in 1989 and the show was an instant success, running through 1993. This science fiction television series has a unique premise and compelling characters. The show, created by Donald P. Bellisario, followed Dr. Sam Beckett, played by Scott Bakula, as he leaped through time, inhabiting the bodies of people at crucial moments in history to correct historical mistakes.
Now, 30 years after the original Quantum Leap ended, the second season of the reboot of Quantum Leap airs on Mondays, 10/9c on NBC, and it’s appealing to both fans of the original version and new viewers. The latest season takes place, appropriately, 30 years after Dr. Sam Beckett disappears into the Quantum Leap accelerator and focuses on a new character, Dr. Ben Song played by Raymond Lee.
Here we look back at the original Quantum Leap cast and meet the new actors traveling through time.
The original Quantum Leap cast (1989-1993)
Scott Bakula as Dr. Sam Beckett
Scott Bakula, the charismatic lead of Quantum Leap, portrayed Dr. Sam Beckett with a perfect blend of charm and sincerity. His portrayal earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama in 1992.
After being a part of the Quantum Leap cast, Bakula starred in several television shows and movies. Notably, he joined the cast of Star Trek: Enterprise, where he played Captain Jonathan Archer from 2001 to 2005.
In recent years, Bakula has graced the small screen with his presence in the popular series NCIS: New Orleans, where he played Special Agent Dwayne Pride.
Dean Stockwell as Al Calavicci
Dean Stockwell, who portrayed Al Calavicci, Dr. Sam Beckett’s holographic companion, brought wit and depth to his character. Stockwell’s portrayal earned him a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1990.
Stockwell previously appeared in David Lynch’s cult classic, Blue Velvet, in 1986 and received critical acclaim for his performance. In 1988, Stockwell earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Married to the Mob. Later, Stockwell appeared in in various TV shows, including Battlestar Galactica, where he played Brother Cavil.
Dean Stockwell passed away in 2022 at the age of 85.
Deborah Pratt as Ziggy
Deborah Pratt provided the voice for Ziggy, the supercomputer that assisted Sam and Al in their time-traveling endeavors. In addition to her voice acting work, Pratt was also a co-executive producer and a writer on the original Quantum Leap.
Pratt will return as executive producer on the present-day Quantum Leap reboot.
Dennis Wolfberg as Gooshie
Dennis Wolfberg portrayed Gooshie, the technical support assistant on the Quantum Leap project.
Before his time on the Quantum Leap cast, Wolfberg was a stand-up comedian known for his humor and wit. Prior to that, he was a school teacher for 12 years.
Wolfberg passed away in 1994 at the age of 48 due to cancer.
The new Quantum Leap reboot cast (2022-2023)
Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song
You probably recognize Lee from his previous work, including films like Top Gun: Maverick and HBO’s Here and Now and Max’s Made for Love. Plus, he was in Amazon’s Mozart in the Jungle and ABC’s Scandal.
He was excited to join the Quantum Leap reboot cast. “I remember distinctly in sixth grade, it was my best friend’s favorite show, and I thought he was such an adult watching something like Quantum Leap,” Lee told EW about how he discovered the original show. “By watching with my friend, I became a fan.”
What attracted Lee to the character was the fact that, “He is compelled over and over again to make the right decision, even if his own life is at stake, so he is a much better person than I am in real life. He’s something to strive for.”
Ernie Hudson as Herbert “Magic” Williams
Ernie Hudson stars as Herbert “Magic” Williams. Magic is the head of the Quantum Leap project and juggles taking care of his team while also answering to his boss at the Pentagon.
Hudson is not stranger to acting. Most recently he reprised his signature character Winston Zeddemore in the Jason Reitman movie Ghostbusters: Afterlife. He was also in the Bobby Farrelly-directed Champions, opposite Woody Harrelson. For television, Hudson executive produces and stars in the BET series The Family Business and will next be seen in the upcoming third season of Showtime’s City on a Hill.
Nanrisa Lee as Jenn Chou
Nanrisa Lee stars as Jenn Chu in the reboot. Chu is the head of digital security. She works alongside Magic in hopes of solving the riddle of why Ben Song leaps, in hopes of bringing him home.
Lee was born in Oakland, California, and is best known for her recurring role on Bosch. She has also appeared in CSI: Vegas, The Morning Show and American Crime Story.
Mason Alexander Park as Ian Wright
Ian Wright is played by Mason Alexander Park. Ian is the lead programmer on the confidential program that has rebuilt “Ziggy,” the Artificial Intelligence unit which provides important information on Ben’s leaps.
Park is a nonbinary artist who will next be seen as Desire in Netflix’s highly anticipated adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman. Previous TV roles include Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop.
Park is also an accomplished theater actor, most notably portraying the title role on the first Broadway national tour of Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Caitlin Bassett as Addison Augustine
Caitlin Bassett stars as Addison Augustine. Addison is an ex-Army intelligence officer who works in the Quantum Leap program. She is Ben Song’s guide in the past and, during his leaps, appears in a hologram that only he can see and hear.
Interestingly enough, Quantum Leap marks the professional acting debut for Bassett. A military veteran, she spent seven years in U.S. Army Intelligence and the National Security Agency, with two combat tours to Afghanistan and a third abroad. After completing her service with multiple accolades, she began studying law in New York while moonlighting in theater classes.
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