NBC’s 3-Season Sci-Fi Time Travel Series Is An Instant Netflix Streaming Hit

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NBC’s sci-fi time travel series with three seasons has become an instant Netflix hit.

A recently added NBC show quickly became incredibly popular on the streaming service where it appeared, despite initially dividing viewers. NBC has been licensing many of its shows to Netflix, and several have found significant success there. A prime example is Manifest, which NBC canceled but Netflix revived for a final season. That final season of Manifest was a hit, as have been other NBC shows like Blindspot and Person of Interest.

A unique show, La Brea, is quickly becoming popular on Netflix. This 2021 sci-fi drama begins when a massive sinkhole opens up in the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, swallowing many people. What starts as a rescue mission soon turns into something much stranger: the sinkhole is actually a portal connecting the present day with 10,000 BC. Over three seasons, the show follows the characters as they navigate this time-bending situation, uncovering surprising truths about the past and trying to solve the mystery of the sinkhole itself.

Currently, La Brea is the third most popular show on Netflix in the United States. As of May 4, 2026, it has held that position since its release on May 1, 2026. It’s performing well, ranking just above the second season of the comedy Running Point and below the action thriller Man on Fire and the docuseries Should I Marry a Murderer? – both Netflix originals.

Despite initially receiving mostly negative reviews from both critics and viewers – Season 1 only scored 29% with critics and 37% with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes – La Brea became surprisingly successful. Over time, audience opinions improved, and the show maintained consistent viewership. This allowed NBC to let the story conclude naturally over three seasons, giving it a satisfying ending.

The main cast of the show La Brea includes Natalie Zea, Eoin Macken, Chiké Okonkwo, Karina Logue, Zyra Gorecki, Jack Martin, Veronica St. Clair, Rohan Mirchandaney, Lily Santiago, Chloe De Los Santos, Jon Seda, Josh McKenzie, and Nicholas Gonzalez in season one. Michelle Vergara Moore and Tonantzin Carmelo joined the regular cast in later seasons. Although critics haven’t loved it, La Brea offers a satisfying, complete story filled with time travel and unexpected twists, which has likely contributed to its successful start on Netflix.

With its recent addition to the streaming service, La Brea is off to a strong start and could continue to perform well. It’s already proving more popular than some original series on Netflix, suggesting viewers are intrigued by its exciting and unusual storyline. Thanks to this early success, La Brea is quickly becoming one of the platform’s key releases for May.

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2026-05-04 17:58