ABC is not in a rush to renew — or cancel — Doctor Odyssey, but did the season 1 finale serve as a satisfying series conclusion just in case?
During the Thursday, May 15, episode, Avery (Phillipa Soo) went looking for Max (Joshua Jackson) after he appeared to be hurt in a church collapse. He was fine — thankfully — but that paved the way for the off-and-on couple to reunite. After going back and forth on her feelings for Max, Avery told him that she reciprocated his affection.
Avery then surprised Max by saying she couldn’t have a career and be with him. Max disagreed and by the time the credits rolled, the fictional duo found their way back to each other and were happily dating. Tristan (Sean Teale), meanwhile, even gave Max and Avery his blessing after previously vying for her heart to unsuccessful results.
Meanwhile over in the captain’s quarters, Captain Massey (Don Johnson) was contemplating his future on The Odyssey. His decision to go back and help victims of an earthquake and tsunami combo caused Massey to temporarily be relieved of his duties.
Monroe (Marcus Emanuel Mitchell) took over for Massey, but the entire crew on The Odyssey refused to let Massey walk away from the job for good. All in all, Doctor Odyssey wrapped up on a positive note for everyone amid the show’s uncertain future at ABC.
Doctor Odyssey, which premiered in September 2024, followed Jackson’s character on his journey to becoming the new onboard doctor of the Odyssey. The medical drama hasn’t been afraid to push boundaries with story lines such as Captain Massey expecting a baby with a character played by Shania Twain or Avery thinking she was pregnant but not knowing whether Max or Tristan was the father.
Despite resonating with viewers, Doctor Odyssey‘s future has remained in limbo. Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich weighed in on why there was a delay, telling TVLine on Thursday, May 15, “Doctor Odyssey is not on our [fall 2025] schedule currently. We’re in talks with [series creator] Ryan [Murphy], and we really look to him about what the next chapter might be.”
Erwich noted that Murphy, 59, had a lot on his plate, which contributed to Doctor Odyssey‘s unclear future.
“Ryan’s extremely busy,” the ABC executive added. “With 9-1-1, [the upcoming spinoff] 9-1-1: Nashville and he’s doing All’s Fair [for Hulu]. I know he’s working on a bunch of shows for FX that they’re really excited about, too.”
According to Erwich, it is all up to Murphy. “I really love Doctor Odyssey, I think it’s a wildly inventive show, and we’re doing everything we can to support it,” he continued in a separate interview with Deadline. “That decision ultimately lies with Ryan Murphy, whether Ryan wants to continue to do it, and he feels like there’s stories to tell that he feels confident in.”
The outlet confirmed that a decision would have to be made by June when the options on the cast are set to expire.
Doctor Odyssey is currently streaming on Hulu.
