# Doctor Odyssey

Doctor Odyssey is an American medical drama television series created by Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz, and Joe Baken for ABC. It stars Joshua Jackson, Phillipa Soo, Don Johnson, and Sean Teale. The show premiered on September 26, 2024.

## Premise

Max, a new doctor on board a luxury cruise ship, and his small but capable team handle unique medical cases (and each other) far away from the nearest shore.

## Cast and characters
### Main

* Joshua Jackson as Dr. Max Bankman, a newly hired doctor on a luxury cruise ship known as The Odyssey
* Phillipa Soo as Nurse Avery Morgan, a nurse practitioner on The Odyssey
* Sean Teale as Nurse Tristan Silva, a nurse on The Odyssey who is secretly yearning to be with Avery
* Don Johnson as Captain Robert Massey, the captain of The Odyssey

### Recurring

* Marcus Emanuel Mitchell as Spencer Monroe, the first officer of The Odyssey
* Jacqueline Toboni as Rosie, The Odyssey's engineer
* Rick Cosnett as Corey, the head of housekeeping on The Odyssey
* Laura Harrier as Vivian, the personal chef for Bethany Welles, who then becomes a chef on The Odyssey

### Notable guest stars

* Rachel Dratch as Mrs. Rubens, Burt's wife
* Tom McGowan as Burt Rubens, Max's first patient on The Odyssey, who is diagnosed with iodine poisoning
* Shania Twain as a widow who strikes up a connection with Captain Massey
* Chord Overstreet as Sam, a young single guy who plays the field and is diagnosed with syphilis
* Gina Gershon as Lenore, the wife of the owner of the cruise ship
* Justin Jedlica as Ken, the real Ken doll
* Amy Sedaris as Bethany Welles, a wellness expert with a large following
* Margaret Cho as Judy, a wellness expert
* Kelsea Ballerini as Lisa, a bride-to-be who is having her wedding on The Odyssey
* Margo Martindale as Ellen, Lisa's mother
* John Stamos as Craig, Captain Massey's alcoholic younger brother who has been sober for 15 years
* Cheyenne Jackson as Bryan, Craig's significant other
* Caldwell Tidicue as Marsha, Craig's favorite drag queen
* Loretta Devine as Jill Manafort
* Adrianne Palicki as Dr. Brooke Lane
* Angela Bassett as Athena Grant-Nash, a LAPD patrol sergeant from 9-1-1.

## Episodes

| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
| 1 | "Pilot" | Paris Barclay | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken | September 26, 2024 (2024-9-26) | 1LGV01 | 4.23 |
| After the previous head medic was fired for a negligent bacterial outbreak onboard the Odyssey, the new doctor Dr. Max Bankman meets nurse practitioner Avery Morgan and nurse Tristan Silva. Tristan reveals his love for Avery to Max while they and the ship's crew party on land. To make Tristan jealous, Max dances with Avery and they kiss, and nearly have sex but realise it's unprofessional. Max reveals to Avery that he was the first case of COVID-19 in the US and nearly died from the virus, which made him realize he needed to enjoy life. Max and Tristan make peace. Emergencies include the team treating a man with iodide poisoning and later a dislocated shoulder, performing surgery a man with a penile fracture, and a man who goes overboard. |||||||
| 2 | "Singles Week" | Paris Barclay | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken | October 3, 2024 (2024-10-3) | 1LGV02 | 3.86 |
| Tristan and Kelly, a young single woman, nearly have sex before Kelly collapses. The ship's Captain, Robert Massey, has dinner with a widow but has a heart attack. The crew discovers a life raft on the radar and divert to it and rescue a woman. Avery discovers Kelly's collapse was caused by her taking Thiazide. Tristan and Avery kiss while Max watches on. Sam, a promiscuous man, catches syphilis and writes down the names of his many sexual contacts onboard. Avery gets a scholarship for her MD from the Odyssey cruise line and to be the ship's doctor after three years of residency. |||||||
| 3 | "Plastic Surgery Week" | Bradley Buecker | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken | October 10, 2024 (2024-10-10) | 1LGV03 | 3.76 |
| Lenore Laurent, the wife of the ship's owner, who also owns many plastic surgery clinics, books the ship out for their clients. Tristan's mother arrives unannounced with a facelift. Avery feuds with Lenore, while Lenore flirts with the Captain. Max is fascinated with Ken (Justin Jedlica) and they do cryotherapy together. Lenore's assistant gets frostbite on her breast. Avery mocks Lenore and Lenore fires her. A woman snorts cocaine and her nose falls off. Ken dies in his sleep and Max unsuccessfully tries CPR. Tristan expresses his anger to his mother for her absence in his youth before she collapses. She is diagnosed with Huntington's disease. Max and Avery have sex. Lenore's assistant implant becomes infected. Avery suggests surgery and it's successful. Tristan's mother leaves the ship at port but doesn't return. Tristan tells Max he is no longer interested in Avery. Lenore gives Avery her recommendation for the scholarship. |||||||
| 4 | "Wellness Week" | John J. Gray | Joe Baken & Byron Crawford | October 17, 2024 (2024-10-17) | 1LGV04 | 2.78 |
| 5 | "Halloween Week" | Tessa Blake | Joe Baken & Byron Crawford | October 24, 2024 (2024-10-24) | 1LGV05 | 2.60 |
| 6 | "I Always Cry At Weddings" | Paris Barclay | Ryan Murphy & Joe Baken | November 7, 2024 (2024-11-7) | 1LGV06 | 2.78 |
| 7 | "Oh, Daddy!" | Crystle Roberson Dorsey | Joe Baken & Byron Crawford | November 14, 2024 (2024-11-14) | 1LGV07 | 2.60 |
| 8 | "Quackers" | Maggie Kiley | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz | November 21, 2024 (2024-11-21) | 1LGV08 | 3.09 |
| 9 | "Shark Attack!" | Millicent Shelton | Mike Schaub & Liz Friedman | March 6, 2025 (2025-3-6) | 1LGV13 | 3.00 |
| 10 | "Shark Attack! Part 2: Orca!" | Michael Medico | Russel Friend & Jamie Pachino | March 13, 2025 (2025-3-13) | 1LGV14 | 2.66 |
| 11 | "Casino Week" | TBA | TBA | March 20, 2025 (2025-3-20) | TBA | TBD |
| This episode is a crossover with 9-1-1. |||||||
| 12 | "Sophisticated Ladies" | TBA | TBA | March 27, 2025 (2025-3-27) | TBA | TBD |
| 13 | "Spring Break" | TBA | TBA | April 3, 2025 (2025-4-3) | TBA | TBD |
| 14 | TBA | TBA | TBA | April 10, 2025 (2025-4-10) | TBA | TBD |
| 15 | TBA | TBA | TBA | April 17, 2025 (2025-4-17) | TBA | TBD |
| 16 | TBA | TBA | TBA | April 24, 2025 (2025-4-24) | TBA | TBD |
| 17 | TBA | TBA | TBA | May 1, 2025 (2025-5-1) | TBA | TBD |
| 18 | TBA | TBA | TBA | May 8, 2025 (2025-5-8) | TBA | TBD |

## Production
### Development

On March 20, 2024, Doctor Odyssey was given a straight-to-series order by ABC. The series is created by Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz, and Joe Baken who are expected to executive produce alongside Joshua Jackson, Paris Barclay, Eric Paquette, Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, and Nissa Diederich. Production companies involved with the series are 20th Television and Ryan Murphy Television.

### Casting

Upon the straight-to-series order announcement, Jackson was cast to star. In April 2024, Don Johnson and Phillipa Soo joined the main cast in undisclosed roles. On May 2, 2024, Sean Teale was cast in an undisclosed starring role. In August 2024, a trailer for the series revealed Shania Twain making a guest appearance. The full official trailer was released in September 2024 and revealed additional guest stars that would be appearing throughout the series, including John Stamos and Kelsea Ballerini.

### Filming

Filming was expected to have begun in Los Angeles in July 2024. First look images from the set were released to the press in August 2024. Some filming occurs at Rye Canyon Studios in Santa Clarita, California, with more filming occurring in Fillmore, California.

## Broadcast

Doctor Odyssey premiered on ABC on September 26, 2024. It was later made available to stream on Hulu. In Canada, the series airs on CTV and CTV Drama Channel, and is available to stream on Crave and Disney+ via Star.

## Reception
### Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 63% approval rating with an average rating of 5.2/10, based on 8 critic reviews. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 66 out of 100 based on 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
Matthew Creith of TheWrap found Joshua Jackson's portrayal of Dr. Max Bankman as an easygoing and charming doctor engaging and relatable, particularly as he adjusts to his new environment post-COVID. He praised the chemistry between Jackson and his co-star Phillipa Soo, saying it adds depth to their characters while navigating both medical emergencies and personal interactions. Creith noted that while the series starts strong, it trends toward a more surface-level exploration of the glamorous cruise lifestyle, prompting curiosity about how the show will develop throughout the season. Craig Mathieson of The Age gave Doctor Odyssey a score of three out of four stars, complimenting the show for its engaging blend of humor and drama, and likening it to Grey's Anatomy set on a cruise ship. He found the series to have a silly yet enjoyable tone, attributing this to the chemistry between the characters and the light-hearted storytelling. Mathieson said Jackson brings a charming presence to the role, showcasing both authority and a laid-back attitude. He also praised the creative team behind the show, noting that their collaboration results in a unique mix of influences, from comedic medical situations to a nostalgic nod to The Love Boat.
Joel Keller of Decider said that Doctor Odyssey aims to extend the formula of Murphy's 9-1-1 franchise to a medical drama set on the high seas. He praised the show's entertainment value, likening it to The Love Boat with its mix of guest stars, outrageous medical cases, and romantic tension among the characters. Keller praised the performances, particularly those of Jackson and Soo, noting their strong chemistry and Soo's confident portrayal of her character. However, he found some moments in the first episode, such as a lengthy monologue about COVID and a dramatic rescue scene, to be over-the-top. Joly Herman of Common Sense Media rated Doctor Odyssey three out of five stars, describing it as a soapy yet entertaining medical drama. She praised the series for its positive messages, pointing out the importance of integrity, teamwork, and understanding others' perspectives. Herman highlighted the strong characters who advocate for their principles and responsibilities. Despite its light-hearted approach, she found that the show effectively focuses on serious values, encouraging viewers to enjoy life while striving to be good people. Columnist Maurice Tougas dismissed the series as being "so ludicrous that it's almost watchable," finding the plots repetitive.

### Ratings

Doctor Odyssey became ABC's most-watched drama debut in four years, drawing 7.59 million total viewers in live plus three-day viewing and securing a 0.38 rating in the 18–49 demo. It retained 87% of its lead-in audience and held the No. 1 spot on Hulu's "Top 15 Today" list for three consecutive days, remaining in that position as of September 30, 2024. The series later attracted 13.6 million cross-platform viewers in its first week, representing a 230% increase over its live + same-day audience of 4.13 million.
Viewership and ratings per episode of Doctor Odyssey :
| No. | Title | Air date | Rating/share (18–49) | Viewers (millions) | DVR (18–49) | DVR viewers (millions) | Total (18–49) | Total viewers (millions) |
| 1 | "Pilot" | September 26, 2024 | 0.4/4 | 4.23 | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | "Singles Week" | October 3, 2024 | 0.3/3 | 3.86 | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | "Plastic Surgery Week" | October 10, 2024 | 0.4/4 | 3.76 | — | — | — | — |
| 4 | "Wellness Week" | October 17, 2024 | 0.3/3 | 2.78 | 0.2 | 1.85 | 0.4 | 4.62 |
| 5 | "Halloween Week" | October 24, 2024 | 0.2/2 | 2.60 | 0.2 | 1.76 | 0.4 | 4.36 |
| 6 | "I Always Cry at Weddings" | November 7, 2024 | 0.3/3 | 2.78 | 0.2 | 1.80 | 0.5 | 4.59 |
| 7 | "Oh, Daddy!" | November 14, 2024 | 0.2/2 | 2.60 | 0.2 | 1.63 | 0.4 | 4.23 |
| 8 | "Quackers" | November 21, 2024 | 0.3/3 | 3.08 | 0.2 | 1.60 | 0.4 | 4.70 |
| 9 | "Shark Attack!" | March 6, 2025 | 0.3/4 | 3.00 | 0.2 | 1.58 | 0.4 | 4.59 |
| 10 | "Shark Attack! Part 2: Orca!" | March 13, 2025 | 0.3/3 | 2.66 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |

### Accolades

Doctor Odyssey was nominated for Best Contemporary Makeup—Television Series, Limited Series or Miniseries, or Movie for Television at the 2025 Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards.