Typically, with network television, there is a clear-cut path towards an order of more episodes or cancellation. Most of the time, when May rolls around, networks have announced their fall schedules or mid-season orders. If your favorite show is missing from their schedule,it’s been cancelled. Every once in a while, a series will get saved and will be picked up by a streaming network. But in general, networks like to communicate fairly clearly about which shows they’re putting faith in, and whichones they’re giving the boot. That’s why it’s been such a wild experience to follow the journey of ABC’sDoctor Odyssey. Fans have been left wondering what was to become ofone of the season’s most fun new shows.We might have an answer now, but it’s such a huge bummer that The Odyssey will likely be sailing no more.
‘Doctor Odyssey’ Has Been Left in a State of Limbo
Doctor Odysseypremiered on ABC last fall and immediately connected with viewers because of its inventive storylines and salacious romances (did someone say throuple?). Although theratings weren’t always that impressive(and the series was expensive to produce), the show connected with audiences who were looking for a little escapism.When ABC announced its renewals this year, the series was nowhere to be found, but then it wasn’t officially cancelled either.Disney TV Studios ChiefEric Schrierclaimedthat the decision about whether to move forward with the show lay completely with producerRyan Murphy, saying, “I loveDoctor Odyssey, I think it’s a wildly inventive show, and we’re doing everything we can to support it. That decision ultimately lies with Ryan Murphy, whether Ryan wants to continue to do it, and he feels like there’s stories to tell that he feels confident in.” However, even throughout June, there was still no word onDoctor Odyssey’s fate.
Unfortunately, even though the executives were pretty back-and-forth about their responses, it seems like we finally have our answer. On June 30, thecast options for the series officially ended. That means that the cast, includingJoshua Jackson,Phillipa Soo, andDon Johnson, are free to head to other projects.According toThe Hollywood Reporter, theDoctor Odysseysets have also been struck, which is just one more indicator that the series is effectively over.ABC might still be insisting that the series hasn’t technically been cancelled yet, but it would take a lot of negotiations and finagling to get the cast to return at this point in the game. Plus, why wouldn’t the cast try to move on to other things — why be stuck on a sinking ship, right?
Sink or Swim? The Fate of ABC’s ‘Doctor Odyssey’ Has Finally Been Decided
After months of uncharted waters, we finally have our answer.
There Is Something for Everyone To Enjoy on ‘Doctor Odyssey’
It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense whyDoctor Odysseycouldn’t make it. The show clearly hassomething for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are tuning in to catchglimpses of a hot doctor(Jackson in his silver fox era) or some of the quite unbelievable and thrilling plot lines (like medical staff being able to treat literally every single bizarre diagnosis on a cruise ship), each episode provides intriguing elements. Because the show features new cruise ship guests every episode, there are also plenty of opportunities for unique adventures and fun guest stars (everyone fromShania TwainandGina GershontoMargo MartindaleandJohn Stamos). The series even managed a9-1-1crossover in Episode 11withAngela Bassett’s Athena Grant as a guest on the ship. Even though, on the surface,Doctor Odysseyseems like a hedonistic, sensationalized show, there are also plot points that cover heartfelt storylines, touching on difficultissues such as mental illnessand addiction. While theremight have been shark bitesandhot tub drain mishaps, the series is never afraid to wade into emotional waters.
When it seemed like ABC was still wavering about making a decision about future seasons ofDoctor Odysseyearlier in the summer,John Olivercouldn’t stop himself fromcalling out the networkon his HBO series,Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He reiterated that the show had everything you could want, calling it “sexyERon a boat” and “The Pittwith sharks.“He shamed ABC and said they should be embarrassed for not immediately greenlighting more episodes of the drama. It’s easy to see why the show induced such a passionate response, but now, it doesn’t seem like Oliver’s plea was enough to keepDoctor Odysseyafloat in the end.
A Second Season of ‘Doctor Odyssey’ Could Have Been Amazing
Future episodes ofDoctor Odysseycould have given the characters so much more room to grow and develop, and we could have gotten a chance to see what would have happened with Avery (Soo) andher medical school journey, with Max (Jackson)and his desire to start a family, or with Tristan (Sean Teale) and his sobriety. We’ll always be left to wonderwhat adventures the folks on The Odyssey could have gone throughnow that there’s not a clear-cut sense of closure for viewers. One of the biggest disappointments is that we don’t get to see one interesting fan theory play out more.
Since the start of the show,fans had a theorythat the show was taking place in a state of purgatory (and that Max was actually in a coma from his past Covid-19 illness). The theory claimed that all of the guests on the ship were also somehow lingering between life and death. Developing this theory with each new episode was another reason why watching the series was so entertaining. With its assumed cancellation, we’ll never know if our theory was correct or not.
Of course, there’s always a chance thatDoctor Odysseywill be picked up by Hulu (since that’s where the Season 1 episodes are currently airing).Because ABC hasn’t come right out and said for sure that the series is cancelled,some fans will still retain hope. At this time, it feels like maybe we just need to appreciate theDoctor Odysseyepisodes we did get to see, and then we can properly mourn the sinking of this ship.
Doctor Odysseyis now streaming on Hulu in the U.S.
Doctor Odyssey
