Doctor Odyssey is taking its first break for its first season on ABC. When will it set sail again?
One of ABC's flashiest new shows of the 2024 season, Doctor Odyssey, is a throwback to 1970s TV shows like The Love Boat that told anthology stories involving huge guest star actors. That's no surprise, given it comes from superstar producer Ryan Murphy, who draws on his connections for some fun drama. The main focus is on the titular luxury cruise ship that takes passengers on amazing week-long trips.
The pilot has nurses Avery Morgan (Phillipa Soo) and Tristian Silva (Sean Teale), who are surprised to get a new boss, Dr. Max Bankman (Joshua Jackson). Once a top-notch surgeon, Max ended up being "Patient Zero" for the COVID-19 pandemic, which nearly killed him. He's thus decided to cut back to what he figures is going to be an easy job.
It doesn't take long for Max to realize a cruise ship is home to scores of medical emergencies that he handles with his staff and Captain Robert Massey (Don Johnson). He also hooks up with Avery, which is complicated by how Tristian has yearned for her as well, creating a strange love triangle.
The show is notable for each episode having a different theme, from plastic surgeons to a Halloween-themed event. There have also been some big guest stars for each episode, like Gina Gershon, Shania Twain, Margaret Cho, and more.
The show has also inspired some viewers to speculate on a fan theory that this whole seemingly magical journey is all a hallucination of a near-death Max. While the actors are coy on this, it does add a unique touch to the series.
Doctor Odyssey is taking a break this week
The show has done well in the ratings thanks to having 911 and Grey's Anatomy as lead-ins. It's set to have its first break, which makes sense as Thursday, Oct. 31, is Halloween, and ABC doesn't want to waste original programming on a night when viewers are likely at various parties and events.
There is a rerun of the second episode of the season in the usual 9 p.m. ET/PT timeslot. There is also a rerun of the Halloween-themed episode starting at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
So when does Doctor Odyssey return?
When does Doctor Odyssey return?
The show returns on Thursday, Nov. 7, just in time for the November sweeps period. It looks like a big episode titled "I Always Cry at Weddings," so the obvious theme is the ship hosting some wedding parties.
The promo shows the guest list, which includes Emmy award winner Margo Martindale, and the hints of a major medical crisis that could ruin the wedding. Yet fans can be assured it should have the usual mix of drama, romance and comedy that's made Doctor Odyssey a major hit and continues to sail on ABC.
Doctor Odyssey returns Thursday Nov. 7 at 10/9c on ABC.