Quantum Leap cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the NBC science fiction series

The new Quantum Leap revival had a new cast of characters but stayed true to the original series, which Donald P. Bellisario developed in 1989. The series was launched on NBC, 30 years after Dr. Sam Beckett jumped into the Quantum Leap accelerator. A new team of researchers, with Dr. Ben Song, now continues the experiment, only for Ben to jump out of turn, bringing with him a chain of unplanned events.

The story is of his time traveling as he leaps into the lives of all these people, fixing problems before leaping into the next host. The new Quantum Leap series combines retro references with contemporary storytelling and an all-new cast. Here is an exhaustive character guide to the cast of Quantum Leap, detailing who does what and how each of these actors helps develop the ongoing story.

From the central leaper to the perspiration offstage, each of the characters has their unique place in this intricate, time-leaping masterpiece.

Here is a rundown of who plays whom in the NBC science fiction series Quantum Leap

Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song

Raymond Lee plays lead actor Dr. Ben Song, a quantum physicist who accidentally begins leaping throughout time using the Quantum Leap accelerator. Ben's logical but emotionally motivated personality and why he is leaping are not initially revealed and are ultimately one of the series' overarching storylines.

In contrast to the original series' Sam Beckett, Ben is not leaping in full knowledge of his task. Lee does a great job playing such an intricate character, jumping from new bodies, situations, and time frames with some memory loss and emotional distress.

Caitlin Bassett as Addison Augustine

Caitlin Bassett plays Addison Augustine, Ben's fiancée and a holographic navigator for his project. Retired Army intelligence officer Addison is the only one Ben can talk to when he leaps with holographic technology. The stakes are higher emotionally this time for Quantum Leap because Addison doesn't just love Ben, but is curious about why Ben leaped at random.

Her character is also a modern-day equivalent of Al Calavicci in the original Quantum Leap series, but the emotional dynamic is much more intimate.

Ernie Hudson as Herbert "Magic" Williams

Ernie Hudson plays Herbert "Magic" Williams, a retired Navy commander who is now in charge of the Quantum Leap program. Magic does have a strong connection to the pilot program; he was a character who was jumped into by Sam Beckett in the 1990 episode "The Leap Home (Part 2)." Older and in command now, Magic does have experience and gravitas.

Hudson is an officer who is duty-bound to hold the line between government authority and team allegiance, thereby acting as an internal checkpoint against internal strife and external pressure.

Mason Alexander Park portrays Ian Wright.

Mason Alexander Park is Ian Wright, the group's lead designer of Ziggy, the quantum AI of the project. Ian is recognized by their quirky, technology-motivated look and is the default brain of the team to break down and forecast leap patterns. Ian gives the cast of Quantum Leap a unique voice, frequently employing advanced theoretical frameworks in the team's descriptions of their knowledge of time travel systems.

Their availability gives the scientific goals of the Quantum Leap program a modern spin.

Nanrisa Lee as Jenn Chu

Nanrisa Lee is Jenn Chu, the chief digital security officer for Project Quantum Leap. Jenn Chu is a cyber-intelligence and data specialist whose responsibility is to keep at bay the virtual threats and real breaches from probable interference against the project. Jenn normally helps in planting secrets that other individuals cannot uncover.

It is a central part of episodes where there is some third-party interference to prevent Ben's hopes or introduce the entire life of the project to the public's consideration.

Georgina Reilly as Janis Calavicci

Georgina Reilly joins the Quantum Leap franchise as Janis Calavicci, daughter of Admiral Al Calavicci from the original series. She is highly intelligent and mysterious, with high-level knowledge of quantum mechanics and time travel. Janis is outside of the team in terms of proper, and at first, unsanctioned by the government.

That she is the daughter of Sam Beckett's background in Quantum Leap makes the addition of legacy to the equation, so she is a wild card, but part of the puzzle as well.

Susan Diol as Beth Calavicci

Susan Diol returns to the role of Al's widow, Beth Calavicci. She seems to bookend the original and new Quantum Leap series, providing some context about Al's family life, as well as about the motive of his daughter, Janis. Beth is treated wisely but with tremendous impact, grounding the story in emotional continuity and the show's intergenerational connections.

Walter Perez as Richard Martinez

Walter Perez is the cast member hired to play Richard Martinez, an enigmatic U.S. government agent who becomes increasingly pivotal to the show over time. A behind-the-scenes witness to the experiment at first, Martinez's professional trajectory comes center stage once it appears he has designs of his own on time travel.

Perez's arrival brings tension and unpredictability to the show, particularly as the series pushes forward toward the exploration of potential alternate realities and hidden plot twists.

Supporting cast and recurring characters

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Several other supporting actors fill out the Quantum Leap universe. While not always the center of any given show, characters like General Trask (played by Peter Gadiot) and other Department of Defense representatives consistently throw a monkey wrench into the validity of the team and into the possibility of the project happening.

All are preoccupied with the ethical and political consequences of time travel in contemporary society.

The show remains one of the greatest science fiction television shows ever, combining great character acting with a time-travel premise. With its strong cast headed by Raymond Lee and supported by veteran character actors such as Ernie Hudson and Susan Diol, the show is relying on its legacy while creating new, high-concept scenarios.