There aren’t many TV shows on the bubble on ABC. In fact, Doctor Odyssey is the last of the scripted shows, and there have been many concerns about its future.
So, when Deadline got a chance to talk with Disney TV’s exec, Eric Schrier, it was only natural that questions about the medical cruise ship drama would come up. With May Upfronts just around the corner, a decision needs to be made soon, but are there any hints about which way the network will go?
One of the biggest concerns for many with Doctor Odyssey is the linear ratings. It’s one of the lowest-performing shows on the network, and while Grey’s Anatomy is below it, that series already has a loyal following and performs well in the streaming figures. A freshman show being as low as a 20+-season show is concerning for the network.
The series is also a costly one, although a lot of scenes are on the sound stage. Yes, even those scenes on the cruise with what looks to be a tropical beach behind is done within the studio’s area! That helps to bring some of the costs down, but like all TV, the costs of production are going up.
Ryan Murphy is the one who will partly get a say in whether Doctor Odyssey season 2 happens
It turns out that it’s not just the numbers that Disney is looking at for this ABC series. Doctor Odyssey may be canceled simply because there isn’t a storyline. This is a Ryan Murphy series, and if he says “no more,” it’s no more. So, it’s just about whether Murphy has a good idea that he wants to work with or not.
Of course, Doctor Odyssey has just gotten started. There are clearly many more stories to tell with this wild series, and Disney is behind the creativeness 100%.
“I really love Doctor 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.”
The linear ratings will also need to track, though. After all, 911: Lone Star was also a Murphy series, although led by a slightly different team, and that was canceled after five seasons due to the rising costs of the budget. Schrier being hopeful and behind the series is a great start, though.
Doctor Odyssey airs on Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC. Catch up the following day on Hulu.