Warning! SPOILERS about the Doctor Odyssey season 1 finale ahead.
The state ofDoctor Odyssey’s future is undoubtedly peculiar, with the drama still in limbo despite all the other ABC shows bar those ending being renewed, but the case for its renewal is unexpectedly made by a renowned comedian. The medical drama on the high seas created by Ryan Murphy, Joe Baken and Jon Robin Baitz debuted on ABC in September 2024, with its premiere being watched by 4.22 million viewers and reaching around 12 million more across all platforms after 35 days.Doctor Odyssey’s higher ratings than other staple ABC showsthus make its possible cancellation not make sense.
Doctor Odysseyseason 1 aired its finale on Thursday, May 29, 2025, but the showhas yet to receive an answer about its potential renewal or cancellation, with Disney Television execs Craig Erwich and Eric Schrier attributing the reason for no news being available aboutDoctor Odysseyseason 2 to the final decision belonging to Ryan Murphy. Murphy being busy with other shows could make aDoctor Odysseyrenewal harder, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t deserve one. The biggest argument forDoctor Odyssey’s renewal unexpectedly and hilariously came in May 18’s episode ofLast Week Tonight with John Oliver.
Doctor Odyssey Season 2 Renewal Remains In Limbo After The Season 1 Finale
The Medical Drama Has Yet To Be Renewed Despite Its Good Ratings
Doctor Odysseyseason 1’s finale could comfortably double as a series finale, withthe storylines developed throughout the season reaching a satisfying conclusion. All centralcharacters were better inDoctor Odysseyseason 1, episode 18 than when they started, with Max happy being a doctor onboard and ready to make his long-distance relationship with Avery work, Avery starting medical school, and Tristan finally moving on from his feelings for Avery.Doctor Odysseyseason 1’s finale even got Captain Massey his boat back, not being fired after choosing to disregard corporate protocol to return to shore and save the stranded locals.
Doctor Odyssey’s situation is peculiar because its ratings wouldn’t justify a cancellation. Indeed, while on the lower end for ABC shows, having an average of 3.05 million viewers per episode, it still beatGrey’s Anatomy. Coupled with its series premiere’s success, it could warrant a renewal.Doctor Odyssey’s star power, being readily recognizable looking at its key characters and guest stars, could draw viewers in to a potential season 2. However, Ryan Murphy spearheading several TV shows can make it difficult to focus onDoctor Odyssey, easily explaining its not being on ABC’s schedule, with its fate still undetermined.
John Oliver Mocks Doctor Odyssey, But Effectively Points Out Why It Needs To Be Renewed
John Oliver’s Jokes Precisely Highlight Doctor Odyssey’s Best Qualities
The most fitting defense forDoctor Odysseynot deserving the limbo it’s in came fromLast Week Tonight with John Oliver’s episode (viaTVLine) on Sunday, July 02, 2025. While hilariously pointing outDoctor Odyssey’s ridiculousness, especially mentioning the show’s tagline, John Oliver’s appraisal of the medical drama still stands. By dubbing it “sexy ER on a boat” and “The Pitt with sharks,”the comedian acknowledgesDoctor Odyssey’s undeniable nature as a medical drama and recognizes the best qualities setting it apart from the others, including its setting on a boat, which makes some unlikely developments simultaneously absurd and believable.
The Joshua Jackson-led medical drama wears goofiness as a badge of honor.
While medical dramas have seen a resurgence in recent years, and all of them differ for one reason or another from each other, no other shines as bright asDoctor Odysseyfor how campy it is. The Joshua Jackson-led medical drama wears goofiness as a badge of honor, and whileDoctor Odyssey’scases are as varied as those of its more serious counterparts, itsnever taking itself too seriously makes the show entertaining in a way that hits different from all the other medical dramasin circulation, especially when in front of cataclysmic disasters, whether natural or caused by orcas.
What Doctor Odyssey Season 2 Might Be About (Assuming It Gets Renewed)
Doctor Odyssey Season 1 Ended With Max Still On The Odyssey & Avery Leaving For Med School
Although it’s clear thatDoctor Odysseyseason 2won’t go forward unless Ryan Murphy says so, if it were to, it could be extremely interesting even after the perceived finality of season 1’s ending. With its central love triangle finally resolved, eliminating all lingering competition between Max and Tristan,Doctor Odysseyseason 2 has the chance to focus even more on its medical cases, with Max and Tristan at the helm now that Avery is finally making her dream of becoming a doctor come true.
Doctor Odysseyseason 1 is now streaming in its entirety on Hulu.
Doctor Odysseyseason 2 could also incorporate Avery’s storylinedespite her being away, either through visits as a guest on the Odyssey orby showing her life on land, offering a different perspective from the pursuit of offering a paradise-like experience to all guests on the boat. Avery’s absence could also warrant the arrival of another nurse onboard, andDoctor Odysseyseason 2 would also have the opportunity to focus more on the secondary characters who are part of the crew, making the show worth continuing even if it could be difficult to maintain its unlikely premise.
