MANIFEST: Jeff Rake Teases the Origins of the show and Mythology

Manifest, one of NBC’s new dramas for the year, hit San Diego Comic Con in a big way. Fans were showed the pilot before a panel, but the show has big feels, both in terms of family drama and an OMG WHAT? myth to set up the show.

When a family is separated onto two flights after a vacation to Jamaica, three members find themselves in a few world after their plane experiences some phenomenon and years have passed without them knowing. Flight 828 arrived back in New York after five years and lives are all upended as lives have moved on for some, and not for others.

The show focuses on all the members of this flight as they deal with consequences of being gone so long, though there are concerns for what happened to the plane and the passengers, especially when other events occur that seem to only happen to other passengers from their flight.

Jeff Rake, showrunner and creator, sat down with some reporters at SDCC where he explained:

• The origin of the story and its connection to the tragedy of Malaysian Airlines
• Complicated family relationships with one marriage and a broken engagement as they relate to leads Ben (Josh Dallas) and Michaela (Melissa Roxburgh)
• What has happened to all of the passengers wherein they have powers?
• Teasing the largest myth of the show as well as the smaller myths in the season and episodes
• Cal’s (Jack Messina) role in both the mythology and in the family drama of his return

Manifest premieres on Monday, September 24 at 10pm on NBC, though if you’re curious now, the first act is available now. Check back later this week for interviews from Josh Dallas and Melissa Roxburgh.