ABC Drama Series Officially Canceled: Doctor Odyssey Ends After One Season
ABC has officially canceled its high-profile drama series Doctor Odyssey, created by Ryan Murphy, following the expiration of cast contracts and lack of a renewal decision. The show, which starred Joshua Jackson as Dr. Max Bankman, will not return for another season, marking the end of the medical drama set aboard the luxury cruise ship The Odyssey[1][4].
According to industry reports, ABC opted to let all current agreements expire instead of ordering another season. This move, described as a "default cancellation," means the adventures of Dr. Bankman and his medical team have come to a close for now. The network did not formally announce the cancellation but allowed all cast contracts to lapse, effectively signaling the end of the series[1].
The decision to cancel Doctor Odyssey comes after months of uncertainty. While other ABC scripted series received renewals, Doctor Odyssey languished on the bubble. The show's high production costs—driven by its lavish cruise ship setting and star-studded guest appearances—combined with low viewership numbers were cited as the main reasons for its cancellation. The series averaged only 3 million viewers per episode, ranking at the bottom of ABC's viewership charts[1].
Doctor Odyssey featured a notable cast, including Phillipa Soo, Sean Teale, and Don Johnson, with guest stars such as Shania Twain, Gina Gershon, Margo Martindale, Amy Sedaris, Rachel Dratch, Angela Bassett, and Kelsea Ballerini. The series was produced by 20th Television in association with Ryan Murphy Television, with Murphy co-writing alongside Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken[4].
Despite its ambitious concept and high-profile cast, Doctor Odyssey failed to find a strong foothold in ABC's lineup. The series followed Dr. Bankman and his medical team as they tackled high-stakes emergencies far from shore aboard the fictional Odyssey cruise ship. The show also produced a crossover episode with Ryan Murphy’s other ABC series, 9-1-1, where Angela Bassett’s character Athena Grant-Nash appeared on the ship[1][4].
Fan speculation had suggested the series could return in a new form—such as a TV movie, a special Hulu limited series, or even as a 9-1-1 spinoff. However, with contracts expiring and no new deals in place, any continuation seems unlikely for the foreseeable future. ABC would need to renegotiate all deals for any potential revival or spin-off[1].
The cancellation of Doctor Odyssey is part of a broader trend at ABC, which has recently canceled several drama series due to low ratings and high production costs. However, the network continues to invest in its successful franchises, such as 9-1-1, which has been greenlit for a new spinoff, 9-1-1: Nashville[1].
For fans of Doctor Odyssey, the season finale was written as a series finale to provide closure for the characters. Crew members are reportedly moving on to other Murphy-backed productions, and the cast is expected to pursue new projects[1].
In summary, the cancellation of Doctor Odyssey marks the end of an ambitious but short-lived experiment for ABC. The series, which promised a unique blend of medical drama and high-seas adventure, ultimately failed to capture a large enough audience to justify its high production costs. While the door remains open for a potential revival in some form, for now, the journey of Dr. Max Bankman and his team has reached its conclusion[1][4].
As the television landscape continues to evolve, networks like ABC are under increasing pressure to deliver hit shows that can justify their budgets. The cancellation of Doctor Odyssey serves as a reminder of the challenges facing scripted dramas in today's competitive market.
