Doctor Odysseyseason 2 has been canceled at ABC, but that may not be the end of the story. The soapy medical drama, co-created by Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz, and Joe Baken, features Joshua Jackson in the lead role. He plays Dr. Max Blankman, a recent hire on a luxury cruise ship that mixes business and pleasure while attending to strange medical emergencies.
Even though it debuted strong,Doctor Odysseyseason 2has been on the bubble for months. With aDoctor Odysseymain cast that includes Phillipa Soo, Sean Teale, and Don Johnson, the drama is the only scripted ABC show not to be renewed. But even as it approaches the end of its current destination, there could be another.
Deadlinereports thatDoctor Odysseyhas ended by default. That is because the actors' contracts expire on Monday and won’t be picked up. Sources stress, however, that the show is not formally canceled and could return in the future. That would require signing the actors to new deals, however, and they are now able to pursue other projects.
What This Means For Doctor Odyssey
The Ship Won’t Be Sailing
Doctor Odyssey’s crew has reportedly started to work on otherRyan Murphy shows. Rumors about the medical soap’s fate have been swirling for months. After a strong start of more than 13.6 million multi-platform views in its first week in September,ratings slid and didn’t receive significant increasesoutside of events like the crossover with9-1-1’s Angela Bassett late in season 1.
The show’s downward trajectory proved troublesome, considering that the drama featured notable stars and occasionally elaborate set pieces and special effects that likely contributed to a larger budget. It is noted, nonetheless, thatDoctor Odysseycould come back down the line on ABC or even on Hulu, where it has performed well. That depends on what creative plans producers have for the series.
Doctor Odysseycould come back down the line on ABC or even on Hulu…
The ending ofDoctor Odysseyseason 1feels complete, as the ship’s personnel stand in solidarity with Captain Robert Massey (played by Johnson). It will have to suffice, considering thatthe quirky tone and soapy twists were not enough to propel the seriesto the kind of success experienced byHigh Potential. The crime drama, led by Kaitlin Olson, saw big ratings increases after an already strong debut.
Our Take On Doctor Odyssey’s Cancelation
Doctor Odyssey Never Quite Worked
The show’s central conflict, teasing a dynamic between the three main characters that never evolved past a certain point, was likely a part of the issue. Outside the intriguingDoctor Odysseydream theory, there probably wasn’t enough for viewers to tune in every week. But, on the positive side for its loyal fans, itcould potentially be revived down the road.
