Fictional romances are rarely convenient.
Lovers are separated by geography or war or politics or society. Still, they have it easy compared to Ben (shown here) and Addison in the “Quantum Leap” reboot.
“It’s like the long-distance relationship from Hell,” said Martin Gero, the series creator. “They’re separated by time and space …. They can’t touch.” At first, Ben doesn’t even recognize his fiancee Addison … and doesn’t recognize himself.
That unfolded in the series opener, which reruns at 8 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 24) on NBC (and any time on Peacock), before the second episode at 10 p.m. Monday. Ben adapted a high-tech program that randomly flings him into the bodies of other people in other times. The first fling involved a decent chap who was, alas, a getaway driver.
Back in the lab, his colleagues tried to help. Addison showed up as a hologram – only Ben could see and hear her – and fed him modern information. For now, he doesn’t know they’re lovers.
These are huge roles. “It’s an actor’s dream to not only be in different periods, … but to do it all in one project,” Raymond Lee said. “It’s the roles of a lifetime.”
Lee, 35, who plays Ben, is known for “Here and Now,” “Keven Can F Himself” and, especially, “Top Gun: Maverick.” Caitlin Bassett, 32, who plays Addison, is known for … well, nothing.
“Caitlin is one of our secret weapons,” Gero said, “because she’s literally never been seen before.”
Where has she been until now? In Afghanistan (twice), among other places.
She grew up on a small horse farm near Maryland and says acting “was a dream since I was a kid.”
It became a dream deferred. She joined the Army at 18, she said, for the same reason many people do. “That’s kind of one of their best options. And it was an amazing experience, a growing experience.”
During her Army years, she had three combat-zone tours – and also got her college degree.
“I was going to go to law school and … you know, be a real adult. (But then) I was like: ‘You know what? I’ve done hard things before. Let’s give it a go.”
She planned to go to Brooklyn Law School … but instead went to the prestigious Stella Adler acting studio. That led – gradually – to a chance to play a brainy scientist whose lover keeps disappearing into other people’s bodies.