Josh Dallas teases two-year time jump in Manifest season 4 (Interview)

Hello, Manifesters! Like us, I know you’ve been itching for any news about Manifest season 4. And thanks to Mr. Josh Dallas himself, we’ve got some scoop for you!

Netflix Life had the opportunity to speak to the Ben Stone actor about what to expect for his character in the upcoming fourth season, what it was like directing an episode, and he’s got a personal thank you message for the adoring fans!

This is only one of two features we’ve got in the works. Be sure to keep your eyes locked on our page as we’ll be bringing you the FULL interview with Dallas in the next couple of weeks. Hint: It has something to do with the actor being the best and hottest TV dad!

For now, you can check out the Manifest season 4 teases Dallas shared. We’ve provided some of the highlights below, but I’m sure you’d much rather see and listen to the #CharmAttacker himself. Scroll down to the end for the video!

Josh Dallas talks Manifest season 4

Two-year time jump at the start of the season

Although Dallas couldn’t reveal many details about the popular show’s fourth season, he did provide some teases on what we can expect in general and for his character. When asked how Ben is handling being a single parent, Dallas shared “not very well.”

“We begin the next season two years from where we left off season 3. So we’ve moved ahead in time,” said Dallas. “And Ben is an interesting, complicated character. He is very singular in the way that he thinks. And everything he does is absolutely for his family, and for the love of his family, and to protect his family. But because of that singular way of thinking that he has, it can sometimes start to alienate the people closest to him. And a lot of the time, it’s his way or the highway. And most of the time, he’s right. But sometimes he’s wrong. It’s hard for him to not move through the world with sort of blinkers around his eyes.”

Ben’s “singular” way of thinking

The actor said he hasn’t gotten to the end of the story yet, but joked that sometimes he thinks Ben himself could be the group’s downfall because of his “singular” way of thinking.

“He is always going into it with good intentions but also willing to break the rules sometimes in order to get at what he needs or wants to find out,” said Dallas. “And I think maybe there’s a certain amount of guilt that he carries for some reason about what happened to them and the time that he lost. And I think he wants to fix that, and he wants to create something new in the now with his family, with his loved ones, but he does get very, very singular.”

The first part of the season isn’t going to be easy, according to Dallas. Could that mean the first 10 episodes? We already know the fourth and final season will be a total of 20 episodes, which will be split. The Ben Stone actor confirmed they have wrapped filming on the first half, are on a “little hiatus,” and then will be back to work.

“We’re so grateful that we’re able to come back together and finish the story out. But it’s also kind of bittersweet because it’s what I’ve loved so much over the past four years. And to know that it’s finally coming to an end is gratifying and sad all at the same time,” said Dallas.

From a permanent landing to taking flight once again 

Those mixed feelings are definitely justified. The emotions of the cast, crew, and fans went through all sorts of turbulence when the show’s parent network, NBC, decided to cancel the supernatural drama after its third season.

“It was such a sad thing for all of us because when you’re in a TV show and a TV series like this that runs for a while, you get deep into it. You get deep into these characters. You get attached to it just like the audience does and you want to know. You want to be able to give justice to the story and justice to these characters,” said Dallas. “And the idea that we might not be able to do that, or the idea that we would never be able to do it again because we were canceled was heartbreaking. But such is the way it goes in this business. Sometimes things go for a long time, sometimes they don’t go at all. And so you kind of just roll with it. But we were sad to hear that news.”

Netflix initially passed on saving the show following the NBC cancellation. When the network canceled the series in June 2021, the Jeff Rake-created show’s first two seasons were added to Netflix a couple of days later. The series immediately gained new fans, almost breaking the record of holding the number one spot in Netflix’s Top 10 list.

“It just sort of took off and it was hugely exciting and really validating,” said Dallas. “And the fact that Netflix made a bid for us to come back and finish out the story was incredible.”

#SaveManifest campaign

The Manifesters never gave up hope. They eagerly pushed for the #SaveManifest campaign, with Dallas in the pilot seat. And on “828 Day,” we officially got the exciting news that the show was picked up by Netflix.

“From the deepest part of my soul, I thank our fans, our Manifesters, for coming to the show’s rescue and support. We do it for you, and we couldn’t do it without you,” said Dallas. “So we’re eternally grateful and cannot wait for you to see what we have in store for you for these final 20 episodes. It’s going to blow your mind.”

Dallas continued, “And you’re going to see some interesting things from the characters you know and love. And some you’re going to see in ways that you’ve never seen them before. And of course, we’re going to find out more and more about what happened to them, and where they were, and as we get closer and closer to the finale, the end. It’s going to be a ride.”

https://twitter.com/NetflixLifee/status/1529247798079672321?s=20&t=yWgHJ92gaOmb5RaTu2w3vg

Dallas’ directoral debut

And one of those episodes where we’re going to see the characters like never before is episode 7. The seventh installment will also see them in a new situation that “sort of sheds new light on quite a few of our characters.” What that exactly means, we’ll have to wait to find out! The great news is that once the first half of the season drops, we don’t have to wait too long to see Dallas’ talent behind the scenes. He gets a seat in the director’s chair in episode 7.

“I was unbelievably grateful for the opportunity,” said Dallas. “I feel like I’ve been in this business a thousand years, and I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time. And I couldn’t have asked for a better episode to direct with the greatest cast who made me look like a genius and made me look like I knew what I was doing. And I cannot wait for people to see it. I’m really, really proud of it.”

I mean, this charming guy is so talented on screen, I have absolutely no doubt he’s going to impress us with his work behind the camera as well!

One thing that adds to his character’s charm is definitely Ben’s glasses, which have become a real obsession for fans! Dallas shared it was a character choice he made at the start of the series, and they’ve now become a part of Ben “like a third arm.”

“I think they start making an appearance later in the season,” said Dallas. “They will never be far away from Ben Stone.”

Stay tuned to Netflix Life as we bring you our second feature with the full video interview in the coming weeks! Manifest seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix.