Doctor Odysseyseason 2 continues to hang in limbo, with a Disney executive revealing the person in charge of making the final renewal decision. ABC has renewed nearly all of its scripted comedies and dramas, ranging from the new sitcomShifting Gearsto established dramas like9-1-1andGrey’s Anatomy. But the fate of the soapy medical procedural, led by Joshua Jackson, remains undecided as executives have struck cautiously optimistic notes about the chances ofDoctor Odysseyseason 2.
In a wide-ranging interview withDeadline, Disney Television Studios president Eric Schrier was asked to provide an update on the chances ofDoctor Odysseyseason 2. Schrier oversees 20th Television, which produces the medical drama, and says thatthe renewal decision ultimately comes down to co-creator and executive producer Ryan Murphyand whether he feels that there are more stories to tell. Schrier’s quote is below:
I really loveDoctor Odyssey,I think it’s a wildly inventive show, and we’re doing everything we can to support it. 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.
What The Latest Update Means For Doctor Odyssey
It Could Still Go Either Way
Doctor Odysseycould face potential cancellation due toa reported combination of high production costs and ratings that are lower than expected. The series sometimes includes set pieces, which can be costly on a network budget.The cast ofDoctor Odyssey, with TV veterans like Jackson and Don Johnson, in addition to notable guest stars, is also said to be relatively pricey. These are all factors that weigh against the show, co-created by Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz, and Joe Baken.
This is in contrast to the show’s ratings, which have slipped since its premiere in late 2024.Doctor Odysseydebuted to more than seven million viewers, but more recently, it hassettled into over 4 million viewers once delayed viewershipis taken into account. But based on comments from Schrier and other executives, it does sound like there is a path forward for the freshman drama depending on what Murphy decides to pursue. It’s worth noting that the mega-producer has several different projects in the works.
Our Take On Doctor Odyssey’s Renewal
Murphy Has His Hands Full
Reading between the lines, it sounds like the medical series needs a third ingredient to help it secure a renewal. In addition to keeping the budget manageable and the ratings up, it may have to find a story hook that would make season 2 worth tuning in for. That could be the much-speculatedDoctor Odysseydream theory. But with Murphy having several shows in development, across Hulu, FX, and ABC, in addition to hisMonsteranthology at Netflix, it’s hard to say whether there will be a big push to save the struggling new drama.
Doctor Odysseyairs Thursdays at 9 PM ET on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
