ABC launches Doctor Odyssey tonight, a glitzy new medical drama that puts an extra dollop of soap into its sex, scandals and secrets onboard a luxury cruise ship, where we are told the staff works hard, and plays harder.
The series stars Joshua Jackson (Fringe, Dr. Death, Fatal Attraction 2024) as Max, a capable new on-board doctor who commands a small but mighty medical team. Together they navigate unique medical crises — and each other — miles from shore.
Captaining the Odyssey, and ensuring his guests are always kept happy, is Don Johnson’s (Miami Vice, Knives Out, HBO’s Watchmen) Captain Robert Massey.
“Doctor Odyssey is an adventure on the ocean,” smiles Johnson when tasked with explaining the show’s premise. “It has amazing characters, and amazing incidents, and some high-octane action-adventure that you can only find with us!”
“From the second that you open the show, you enter into this beautiful walkway that brings you into our grand entry hallway,” adds Jackson. “The ballroom is opulent. The upper deck set is the most elaborate set I’ve ever seen in my life. The state rooms are gorgeous. I mean, we have fresh-cut flowers which — I’ve been working for a little while and I’ve never seen that before, so. No detail is overlooked. Ryan [Murphy], and really his whole team of people who work with him from show to show have come here and really knocked it out of the park.”
Johnson chimes in in praise of Murphy, the prolific mind behind American Horror Story, Glee, 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and the recently premiered Grotesquerie, on FX. “He is at once an incredible writer, a fantastic producer, an incredible designer. He has so many gifts as a filmmaker it’s kind of hard to imagine them all being packaged in this one guy. But he’s amazing.”
Johnson describes the world created on the ship as “nothing short of opulent, and luxurious, and rich. I mean, when you enter the world of The Odyssey — of Doctor Odyssey, you feel the luxury.”
While Captain Massey and Doctor Max may bump heads over the course of the season ahead with each coming to proceedings from their own unique and often pressured viewpoints, both Jackson and Johnson have nothing but praise for each other as cast mates.
“Don, what he brings off-camera is all of that experience,” says Jackson. “His beautiful way of approaching his day of work. Um, leadership. A great sense of humor, and then, on camera,” he gestures with open hands “You’re getting Don Johnson! What more do I need to say” he laughs.
“Josh Jackson is a dream!” exclaims Johnson firmly. “I’m so lucky to be able to work with him on this show. He’s a seasoned pro. And I’ve been around for a tick or two,” he shrugs. “So it kinda makes for a lotta fun.”
In addition to Joshua Jackson and Don Johnson, Doctor Odyssey stars also Phillipa Soo, and Sean Teale.
The series is written and executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken. Jackson and Johnson serve as executive producers. Paris Barclay directs and executive produces.
Doctor Odyssey premieres on Thursday, 26 Sept 9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT on ABC.
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