Comedian and Last Week Tonight host John Oliver is one of us! In his May 18, 2025 episode, "Trump & The Press," on HBO, he brought up Doctor Odyssey and the fact that he can't believe ABC still hasn't renewed the show for a season 2. And we are right there with you and completely agree! The network really needs to get on that.
The late-night host went on to joke that he can't understand why the network has already renewed The Rookie and Will Trent that have, in his opinion, basic premises, though Doctor Odyssey season 2 is still up in the air. I mean, the medical drama on the high seas certainly is dramatic, absurd in the best ways, and wildly entertaining.
Oliver went on for a while direcly pleading with ABC to renew the show, going as far as comedically saying, "you’re a disgrace, ABC. Your network is a disaster!” Well, we all hear you John Oliver and that also includes lead star and Dr. Max Bankman himself, Joshua Jackson. Before we get to that, be sure to check out Oliver's call for a renewal in the video below, which starts at the 55-second mark.
Joshua Jackson thanks John Oliver for wanting Doctor Odyssey season 2
Alright, onto Jackson himself! He has definitely seen the segment from the late-night talk show host, and really, really appreciates. In fact, he jokes that even if the series doesn't get picked up, the shoutout from the comedian is enough. Here's what he told The Hollywood Reporter when asked about the fun request:
“If I was more proficient at Instagram, I would have plastered that everywhere. I should probably still do that because thank you, John Oliver. Whether they pick us up or not, I kind of feel like my career - I kind of feel like I've made it now that I made it on the John Oliver show. I got the John Oliver shoutout. What more do I really need?"
It's so great to see when two worlds, that you wouldn't necessarily think they would, collide like this. I'm a big fan of Oliver and Last Week Tonight. It's amusing and knowledgable in all the best ways. And as for Doctor Odyssey, co-created by Ryan Murphy, it's a wonderful series that I think took us all by surprise when it appeared on the 2024-2025 fall schedule. I didn't expect to enjoy it so much, and now I just want more!
Joshua Jackson responds to John Oliver’s request for a second season of #DoctorOdyssey pic.twitter.com/CT8lOIgOT5
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 27, 2025
As Oliver mentioned, The Rookie season 8 and Will Trent season 4 have already been confirmed at ABC. And look. We're fans of these shows too! Though please, ABC. We need a Doctor Odyssey season 2 as well.
Ahead of the season finale, TVLine spoke with Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich and asked about a seafaring second season. Erwich shared didn't share whether the medical drama has been renewed or cancelled yet, though it definitely won't be in the upcoming 2025-2026 fall schedule.
He went on to say that the network is in talks with Murphy to see "what the next chapter might be." And unfortunately, that's currently the status of the show is still unknown. Hopefully Oliver's plea will reach ABC's ears and we get a positive update soon. Fingers crossed!