Joshua Jackson is making a significant return to primetime television with Ryan Murphy’s new ABC series, “Dr. Odyssey,” marking his first appearance on network TV in over a decade since his role in “Fringe” on Fox, which concluded in 2013
The series, which is set to premiere during the 2024-2025 broadcast season, is believed to be a medical procedural drama, with the plot details being kept under wraps. Jackson will play the titular character, Dr. Odyssey, and the series is reportedly set on a cruise ship.
Jackson, along with Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz, and Joe Baken, are executive producing the project. Baitz and Baken have previously collaborated with Murphy on multiple projects, including “American Horror Stories” and “Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans,” and are also developing a new legal drama for Hulu starring Kim Kardashian 1. Paris Barclay, known for his work on “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” and “Glee,” is attached to direct and executive produce “Dr. Odyssey”.
Jackson’s return to television comes after a series of intense roles, including playing neurosurgeon Dr. Christopher Duntsch in the Peacock limited docudrama “Dr. Death,” which was based on the real-life case of a doctor convicted of maiming his patients 1. Jackson expressed relief at not playing a character as psychologically intense as Duntsch for a while, highlighting the emotional toll of the role.
In addition to “Dr. Odyssey,” Jackson has been active in film, joining the cast of Sony Pictures’ upcoming “Karate Kid” reboot, marking his first film role in nearly a decade 4. His other notable TV credits include “Dawson’s Creek,” “The Affair,” and “Fatal Attraction” on Paramount+, as well as the Peacock series “Dr. Death,” which earned him a 2022 Critics Choice Award.
“Dr. Odyssey” marks a significant milestone in Jackson’s career, showcasing his versatility and ability to transition between different types of roles, from intense medical dramas to lighter, procedural series set on a cruise ship. The series, with its star-studded production team and Jackson’s return to primetime, promises to be a highly anticipated addition to the 2024-2025 television season.
