Joshua Jackson on Why ‘Doctor Odyssey’ Was the Perfect Next Step and That Viral Emmys Moment

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As a long-time fan of Joshua Jackson and his captivating performances, I am beyond excited for his return to network television with ABC’s latest medical drama, “Doctor Odyssey.” Having grown up watching him on shows like “Dawson’s Creek” and “Fringe,” it’s heartening to see him back in a new role that promises an engaging storyline.

After a decade-long absence from network TV, Joshua Jackson made his comeback starring in ABC’s newest medical series, titled “Doctor Odyssey“.

The show, which takes place aboard a cruise ship and was crafted by Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz, and Joe Baken, introduces Jackson as Max, a recently hired doctor for the ship’s medical team who seems excessively qualified. He works alongside Avery (Phillipa Soo) and Tristan (Sean Teale), two seasoned nurses on the staff who are initially doubtful about his abilities.

Initially, the concept of the show “Doctor Odyssey” was mostly kept secret, leaving fans who were accustomed to Murphy’s work (“American Horror Story”, “The Watcher”) guessing if the portrayed fantasy from The Odyssey was authentic. It wasn’t until 10 days before the premiere that viewers started to grasp this possibility with the release of the trailer. More recently, in an interview with “The Hollywood Reporter”, Murphy referred to the series as a “homage to the ABC shows of my youth.

For Jackson, well-recognized for his roles on television series such as Dawson’s Creek and Fringe, the opportunity to work with Ryan Murphy was particularly appealing for the project. “Initially, before I learned about the specifics of the project, it was a chat with Ryan that piqued my interest,” Jackson shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “We didn’t even mention Doctor Odyssey at first; instead, we talked about where I stood in life and what I aimed to achieve.

As our discussion wound down, he expressed, ‘Excellent! I’ve got something else for you. Let me explain – I’ll be sending over the details immediately,'” Jackson remembers.

Jackson, who has recently been featured in Paramount+’s “Fatal Attraction” and Peacock’s “Dr. Death”, expressed his desire to work on a project with a lighter tone compared to his recent roles. He stated, “I wanted something where, despite the drama and the medical crises that unfolded throughout each episode, it ultimately ended in a hopeful or optimistic place.” This new project fits that description perfectly.

Additionally, this role allowed Jackson to shoot in his hometown, Los Angeles, which was convenient as his 4-year-old child began school. He referred to it as an “extraordinary opportunity.

In the initial installments of “Doctor Odyssey,” we delve into Max’s history quite promptly; however, viewers should not anticipate a continuous exploration of his past. As Jackson puts it, “You’ll get scattered fragments [of Max’s past], but essentially, that’s all we need to reveal.” “The narrative we’re spinning shouldn’t be encumbered by everyone’s history,” Jackson adds.

The show’s episodic structure provides freedom for the actor and benefits the viewers, as the actor explains. “For a viewer, it’s not like schoolwork. There’s no need to keep track of where characters are each week,” he notes. “I appreciate shows that offer such flexibility. At the same time, I find it refreshing when there’s something straightforward and uncomplicated.

Doctor Odyssey similarly establishes a well-known romantic subplot among the medical staff. When queried about the relationship dynamics involving Avery (played by Soo) potentially causing tension between his character and Tristan (portrayed by Teale), Jackson playfully remarks, “I’ve had experience with love triangles,” alluding to his popular role in Dawson’s Creek. “You can’t always predict chemistry. You can gather three talented actors and quality scripts, but it doesn’t always materialize.

He notes, “The friendship we share behind the scenes significantly contributes to our on-screen work, and it takes courage to tackle everything that comes with it.

Last month, Jackson became internet famous due to his reaction at the Emmys. Specifically, he erupted in laughter upon discovering that the award ceremony was playing the tune from Dawson’s Creek as he and co-presenter Matt Bomer made their entrance on stage.

Jackson remembers that Matt and he were standing backstage, and as you approached, it seemed like we were both experiencing the tense anticipation, often referred to as ‘the sweaty palm moment.’ We were casually discussing our concerns about walking on stage, wondering if we appeared too stiff or were trying to appear nonchalant.

In this instance, we found ourselves questioning, ‘Now, I’m unsure. What are your thoughts?’ ‘I’m uncertain as well. What do you think?’ As we moved forward, the theme from [Dawson’s Creek] began to play, specifically Paula Cole’s ‘I Don’t Want to Wait.’ This unexpected moment brought on a genuine chuckle from me.

As far as Doctor Odyssey goes, Jackson just wants viewers to enjoy their time with the show.

He jokes that there’s no medication here, but instead, every week we aim to immerse you in a stunning, almost fairytale-like setting, one that will make your heart race a few times and engage you deeply with the challenges at hand,

He sums up: “More than anything, just enjoy the ride with these characters.”

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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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2024-10-11 05:25