In 1989, Scott Bakula stepped into the role of Sam Beckett in the hit series “Quantum Leap” which lasted until 1993. Today, Raymond Lee is the time traveler in a similar plot as a different character. Recently, the actor met with members of the media to discuss the show and his experiences.

“There will never be another Dr. Sam Beckett,” Lee said. “But what we’ve created is a brand-new show with brand-new characters, and we’re really excited to bring this show to (the viewers).”

The show is set 30 years after the original series. “I think at the core of it, I think what connects (my character) Ben Song and Sam Beckett are the main tenets of their belief in doing good and what it means to be empathetic. And I think through that, as they pass through bodies, they’ll have a joint experience of agreeing on the fact that they’re both doing right what once went wrong.”

Time travel has long been an intriguing notion for people — leading to plenty of time travel TV shows, which have proven to be popular among viewers. “Quantum Leap” is only one of the most popular of them.

Lee himself was a fan of the original show. Before discovering the series he said, “it was just all, like, ‘X-Men’ and ‘Ninja Turtles’ for me, which was the first real show I remember watching, and also my first introduction to sci-fi. And so I have very fond memories of just, like, playing and then going home and watching it with (my friend) the second time it came around.”

Lee happily admitted, “It’s an actor’s dream to not only be in different periods with different projects, but to do it all in one? It’s the role of a lifetime. I’m having so much fun. And, yeah, it’s been a blast so far, and I anticipate that it will continue to be a blast.”

When asked into which year he would personally like to step back in time, Lee responded by saying the early 2000s. “I know that’s not too far back, but, man, it was a fun time. Sugar Ray was on the radio. I wore board shorts every day.” This show definitely gets viewers’ imaginations going and sparks plenty of “what ifs.”

The new version of “Quantum Leap” premiered Monday, Sept. 19, on NBC and new episodes will be available to stream the following day on Peacock.

Newsletter