Joshua Jackson Makes a Comeback in Ryan Murphy's Latest TV Series 'Dr. Odyssey'

Joshua Jackson Marks Return to Network Television With New Ryan Murphy Drama 301

Getty Images (2)

Joshua Jackson is making a comeback to network television, and it's just what we needed. He has agreed to star in a new ABC series called Dr. Odyssey, created by Ryan Murphy. This will be Jackson's first return to primetime television in over a decade, since his role as Peter Bishop in the show Fringe on Fox, which concluded in 2013.

Details about Dr. Odyssey's plot are being kept secret for now, but Jackson will be playing the main character on the show, set to happen on a cruise ship. The rest of the cast has not been announced yet.

In addition to acting in the show, Jackson is also one of the executive producers, along with Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken. Baitz and Baken have worked with Murphy on various projects such as American Horror Stories and Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans. They are currently working on a new legal drama for Hulu featuring Kim Kardashian.

Jackson may have been absent from network TV for a while, but he is no stranger to medical series. In 2021, he portrayed neurosurgeon Dr. Christopher Duntsch in season 1 of the Peacock limited docudrama Dr. Death. This series was inspired by the 2018 Wondery podcast that recounted the story of the doctors and lawyer who brought down the real-life Duntsch, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2017 for maiming a patient.

Before Dr. Death premiered, Jackson shared exclusively with We how he prepared for the challenging role. In July 2021, he explained, "I felt ready to take on something like this emotionally. It turned out to be even more intense than I expected, but I knew from the start that it would be a significant undertaking."

He admitted, "After completing the project, I finally understood the weight of it all when I set it aside. I was fooling myself into thinking I could easily leave it behind at work. The content was very intense and heavy."

In a 2022 interview with Variety, Jackson mentioned his excitement about taking on a new role as a medical professional that is different from the intense drama of Dr. Death.

"It's nice to take a break from playing a character as psychologically intense as Christopher Duntsch. The emotional weight of that role was quite heavy during the filming of the show," he mentioned in an interview.

Aside from his role in Fringe and Dr. Death, Jackson has also been recognized for his performances in Little Fires Everywhere, The Affair, Fatal Attraction, and Dawson's Creek.

Editor's P/S:

Joshua Jackson's return to network television is a welcome sight for fans of quality programming. His portrayal of Dr. Christopher Duntsch in "Dr. Death" showcased his ability to tackle complex and emotionally charged roles with aplomb. The fact that he is also executive producing "Dr. Odyssey" suggests his deep involvement in the project and a commitment to delivering a compelling narrative. With Ryan Murphy at the helm, the series promises to be a captivating blend of drama, suspense, and human connection.

The secrecy surrounding the plot of "Dr. Odyssey" only heightens anticipation. The setting of a cruise ship adds an intriguing element, as it creates a microcosm of society with its own unique dynamics and interpersonal relationships. Jackson's character will undoubtedly face both professional and personal challenges as he navigates the complexities of life on the high seas. The addition of Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken as executive producers, with their proven track record on Murphy's other projects, further solidifies the show's potential for excellence.