Phillipa Soo on the Escapism of ‘Doctor Odyssey’

Phillipa Soo on the Escapism of ‘Doctor Odyssey’

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for medical dramas and a soft spot for Ryan Murphy’s intricate storytelling, I was immediately hooked by the tantalizing premise of “Doctor Odyssey.” The idea of a medical team operating on a luxury cruise ship sounded like an exhilarating blend of high-stakes drama and escapist adventure.


Ryan Murphy’s newest production, titled “Doctor Odyssey“, invites audiences to explore the cherished realm of healthcare providers in an exceptional manner, following a medical crew who work and reside aboard a cruise ship.

The TV series “ABC Medical Drama,” produced by Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz, and Joe Baken, features Joshua Jackson as Max. Max is a highly-skilled doctor who has just joined the medical staff aboard luxury cruise ship The Odyssey. On this team are Avery (played by Phillipa Soo) and Tristan (Sean Teale), two veteran nurses who are initially skeptical about Max’s abilities.

Initially, details about Doctor Odyssey, the upcoming series from American Horror Story’s creator Ryan Murphy, were kept secret. Fans wondered if there would be unexpected twists or if the cruise ship setting was merely a facade. It wasn’t until the trailer was released last month that viewers received a summary and a glimpse of the show, helping them grasp what Murphy had truly planned. In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Murphy referred to the series as a tribute to the ABC shows he grew up watching.

Following her success as Eliza Schuyler Hamilton in the original Broadway cast of “Hamilton“, she found it straightforward to choose her next venture, which turned out to be “Doctor Odyssey“. Upon reading the script and learning that Ryan Murphy was involved, she expressed her enthusiasm to THR, stating, “I wasn’t familiar with the story at the time. It was still quite secretive, but I have always admired Ryan [Murphy] and his work.” After the show’s premiere, “Doctor Odyssey” became ABC’s most-watched drama series debut since 2020.

She expressed that the environment seemed delightful, opulent, and precisely what she yearned for. It had an appealing, welcoming, and entertaining vibe to it. Although she wasn’t well-versed in the details, she had complete faith in Ryan. After discussing his plans and aspirations for the project with him, she felt incredibly grateful for being included and was thrilled about the opportunity from the very beginning.

For Soo, the character who plays Avery, the ship’s nurse practitioner, this is Doctor Odyssey’s initial assignment on a Murphy project. She finds this experience to be “incredible.

Soo mentioned the intricate attention to detail in each scene, shot, and character that he puts into his work, considering how busy he is currently with multiple shows running simultaneously. He’s handling six Murphy-produced series this month, such as FX’s ‘American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez’, Netflix’s ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’, FX’s ‘Grotesquerie’, returning shows like ‘911’ on ABC and ‘911: Lone Star’ on Fox.

She jokes often that he might possess a time machine, constantly jumping to various eras to cram everything he produces within a single day,” she remarks.

From the very start of the pilot, it’s evident that Avery (played by Soo) and Max (portrayed by Jackson) have an underlying tension, hinting at a romantic dynamic involving a “love triangle” with Tristan. The actress mentioned that there is a genuine rapport between the three actors which is noticeable in their scenes together, often referred to as a “natural connection”.

As an ardent enthusiast, I can’t help but express our unwavering commitment to crafting something exceptional. We strive for clarity, efficiency, and a touch of magic in all we do – making things shine with a glittery, glimmery, or sparkly charm. Our narrative approach is uplifting, yet the medical emergencies we portray are firmly rooted in reality. In essence, we aim to create a show that shimmers, but never strays far from the truth.

Soo noted that there’s a unique, intimate glow exchanging among the trio during their interactions. This ease, she believes, is something they naturally contribute to their collaborative efforts.

As a gamer, I’d say, “I genuinely hope this game world transports you all to another place. It’s like a quick getaway, almost a digital mini-vacation! This game is designed to offer that escape, taking you on a journey aboard a virtual cruise ship, whisking you away for a little while. And I hope the experience of playing it can also serve as an escape from reality for each and every one of you.

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Doctor Odyssey airs new episodes Thursdays at 9 p.m. on ABC, streaming the next day on Hulu.

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2024-10-04 05:25