The future of ABC’s freshman dramaDoctor Odysseyis looking increasingly uncertain, as the network recently handed out renewals to a slate of scripted series—9-1-1,The Rookie,Will Trent,Grey’s Anatomy, andShifting Gears— but noticeably left the high-seas medical drama adrift. Industry forecasts had alreadyflaggedDoctor Odysseyas a potential casualty, citing slipping ratings and a production budget notably higher than average. With no official word on its fate, the series remains on the bubble for the next TV season. Despite the looming shadow of cancellation, series leadJoshua Jackson,who stars as Max Bankman, the head doctor aboard the titular ship, remains hopeful thatDoctor Odysseywill sail beyond its maiden season.
Speaking in a recent interview with Vulture, Jackson shared that he was cautiously optimistic aboutDoctor Odyssey’s future, admitting that he’s made a conscious effort to keep some emotional distance from what the ratings could mean for the sake of his mental well-being. “I guess I would say I’m moderately paying attention, andI’m really hopeful the reception is strong enough for them to give us a second season,” he said, adding, “I try as best as I can, just for my own psychological well-being, to not dive in too deep.”
Joshua Jackson Is All In on Doctor Odyssey’s Wildest Theory
Jackson also weighed in on the popular fever dream theory that has surrounded the show since its debut. A few episodes in, viewers began picking up on surreal, dreamlike elements woven into the plot, an impression that intensified after it was revealed that Dr. Max had fallen into a coma following a COVID-19 infection. The show depicts that Max eventually regained consciousness and, in the aftermath, decided to pursue his life-long dream of working on a cruise ship. Regardless, many fans still believe that everything unfolding on screen isthe product of his ongoing hallucinations. “But I definitely did a medium-deep dive on the whole ‘this is purgatory’ conspiracy, because I think that’s so funny, and, if it’s true, is awesome,” Jackson added. “I am totally for it, 1,000 percent.”
Jackson also shared thatthe actors, much like the fans, were out of the loop regarding the certainty of the theory. He, however, noted that the creative team have been enjoying the speculation just as much as the audience, stealthily fueling the conversations online:
“The only person on earth who gets to make that decision will beRyan, but he likes the idea. For sure,our writers are also in those message boards and are tweaking people along the way, but maybe they’re just laying the groundwork. I really don’t know, butI will find out a couple of weeks before everybody else if it does go that way. I’m legitimately all for it. I think it would be hysterical because then you could do crazy things. Are we in Dante’s Inferno? Do we go through the seven circles? Are we in purgatory one season, then it’s hell, then we’re in heaven?”
There remains a glimmer of hope, though, thatDoctor Odysseymight again sail on ABC after Season 1. The delay from the network might not necessarily mean an outright denial. Perhaps ABC is still accessing its drawing board, analyzing key factors and metrics in order to make the right call. As always, stay tuned for future updates.
Doctor Odyssey
Source:Vulture
