Routh also talked about his hope that fans will get to see theMagic: The Gatheringanimated series soon.
Collider: Caitlin, congratulations on the Season 2 pickup, which is very exciting.
CAITLIN BASSETT: Thank you.
What was your reaction to learning that a leap would be so personally connected to your character?
BASSETT: Oh, absolutely.
I was just so grateful that they did it and that the choice was made on a creative level.
Image via NBC
Weve now seen that Ians history and future is really gonna play a role.
I grew up the daughter of a Vietnam veteran.
It was incredibly personal.
Image via NBC
Brandon, youve talked about having grown up watchingQuantum Leap.
What made the original series special to you?
BRANDON ROUTH: What stands out the most is the relationship between the two main characters.
Image via NBC
Thats also at the forefront and is the most important aspect of the presentQuantum Leap.
And then, theres the earnestness.
Scott Bakula was open and vulnerable.
Image via NBC
Hes so full and ready and funny, but also comes down to the level when theres drama.
Its exciting to watch characters who, when theyre up against it, theyve got it and theyre ready.
Every story can be a lesson in life.
How are we gonna do this?
Theres a way, but I dont know.
I know the possibility exists to maneuver through this somehow.
This is a show that has to build a new world with every episode.
What do you think would surprise fans about the making of this series?
What more impresses you about what this show pulls off, very week?
BASSETT: With the breadth of this show, there are really no rules.
We can go anywhere now, and what a treat to play with that.
Theyre unafraid of taking on big things.
We shot on a real battleship, and the week before, I was in an Indian restaurant.
Hopefully, it comes across.
I hope people understand that we have maybe some of the nicest people on that set.
I hope that comes across to people.
Its not as easy to pull off as it seems, especially Rays job.
And my hats off to Mr. Bakula, as well, because that role is taxing.
ROUTH: Credit to the set decorators, art team, and everybody.
Thats incredibly powerful in a performance, and just a cool life experience.
It makes the episode even better and the world is bigger because of it, which is important.
Did you have conversations about that relationship before shooting?
ROUTH: I dont think we really talked that much about it.
Mostly it was conversations with the showrunners.
And then, when I met Caitlin, it was just getting into the vibe.
That story is just that, its a story.
I got the opportunity to find the truth in real time, as an adult.
It was good writing, honestly.
Caitlin, what was it like to shoot such an emotional moment like that?
BASSETT: It was way easier than youd think.
Brandon was available, which meant I wasnt speaking to a wall.
I was speaking to a flesh and blood human that had done his absolute best.
And it was actually the last shot of the shoot together.
ROUTH: Yeah, she got to watch all of his inner workings first.
Honestly, I had to work to not cry hard.
I had to work, so that it didnt get out of control.
Caitlin, is this the key in of show where the script changes a lot before shooting?
The set dec works so hard.
Theyre pulling off miracles, constantly.
ROUTH: Every week, its something different.
BASSETT: Theyre spectacular.
We are moving fast.
If somebody gets COVID and cant be there that day, we have to rewrite the scene.
If we lose a location, we have to rewrite that.
That is not life on a online grid television show
ROUTH: Or life, period.
Are we going to see that sometime soon?
ROUTH: I have no idea.
I know as much as you do.
You might actually know more.
I have heard nothing.
I recorded it in my closet during the pandemic, which was fun and exciting.
BASSETT: Thats cool.
ROUTH: Yeah, it was pretty cool.
But I dont know.
The pieces of thisQuantum Leappuzzle are slowly being put together.
Caitlin, how much of that did you know about, going into this show?
BASSETT: I didnt know about it the whole time.
As things moved forward and final decisions were made, I did know-ish the direction we were going.
I dont know much faster than the scripts come out.
In a certain way, its nice because Im learning, basically when the character is learning.
There are certain things I knew.
I knew that I was gonna get this episode, which I was so excited about.
There are some things that I get a heads up on.
Quantum Leapairs on Monday nights on NBC and is available to stream at Peacock.
