ABC has renewed almost all of its TV series (that aren’t ending this year, likeThe Conners) — except forDoctor Odyssey, despite performing better than the already-renewedGrey’s Anatomy. The medical dramashow created by Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz, and Joe Baken debuted in September 2024 and was an immediate hit.Doctor Odyssey’s premiere drew in over 16 million viewers across all platforms after 35 days(perVariety), making it appear like an early lock for a season 2 renewal. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case.
ABC releases new episodes ofDoctor Odysseyseason 1 on Thursdays at 9 pm ET, followed byGrey’s Anatomyseason 21 at 10 pm ET.
Murphy’s new TV series' trailer also broke a major record, accumulating 77.8 million views in its first 48 hours, making it the most-watched trailer for a broadcast show. Everything was seemingly going perfectly forDoctor Odyssey. It was poised to be ABC’s next big show, given all the hype surrounding it, its star power (a cast consisting of Joshua Jackson, Don Johnson, Phillipa Soo, and Sean Teale is a dream), its appeal, and its lineup of impressive guest stars. However,the time has come for ABC to decideDoctor Odyssey’s fate, and now, season 2 might be just a pipe dream.
Doctor Odyssey Is The Last ABC Show On The Bubble Explained
ABC Has Renewed All Its Other TV Series
ABC got its easy renewals (i.e.,High PotentialandAbbott Elementary) out of the way months ago, in January 2025. As the TV upfronts get closer, though, the network has to decide whether to renew or cancel its other TV shows. In early April, ABC announced that it had handed out renewals forGrey’s Anatomy,9-1-1,The Rookie,Will Trent, andShifting Gears(which almost got canceled). ABC also gave the9-1-1franchise’s second spinoff,9-1-1: Nashville, a straight-to-series order. So,that leavesDoctor Odysseyas the network’s only remaining show without a definitive future.
Ryan Murphy’s medical drama is more expensive than most, which is one of the biggest reasons ABC hasn’t ordered a second season yet.
Reports claim thatDoctor Odyssey’s high cost is giving ABC pause concerning a renewal.Compared to other network TV shows, Ryan Murphy’s medical drama is more expensive than most, which is one of the biggest reasons ABC hasn’t ordered a second season yet. Plus, althoughDoctor Odysseydebuted with stellar ratings, it has failed to retain large enough numbers to justify a renewal, given its lofty production costs. According toTVLine, ABC is having “creative conversations” regardingDoctor Odyssey’s future, meaning not all hope is lost. Its fate will be decided later, likely after ABC has weighed the pros and cons of continuing its story.
Doctor Odyssey Has Higher Ratings Than Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 (But Shonda Rhimes' Show Is Already Renewed)
Grey’s Anatomy’s Ratings Rank Last
Yes,Doctor Odyssey’s ratings haven’t impressed ABC much. However, they are greater thanGrey’s Anatomyseason 21’s viewership totals, and the network has found a place for the long-running medical drama on its 2025–2026 TV programming schedule. After 13 episodes,Grey’s Anatomyseason 21 has averaged 2.258 million live viewers,whileDoctor Odysseyseason 1’s live average sits at 3.175 million after 13 episodes (perTV Series Finale). Nevertheless,Doctor Odysseyremains on the bubble.
of Episodes (as of July 05, 2025)
13
3.175 million
2.258 million
Out of ABC’s six dramas that have aired during the 2024–2025 TV season,the ratings forGrey’s Anatomyseason 21 place it last, just behindDoctor Odysseyseason 1.High Potentialseason 1 finished in first place, accounting for the new TV show’s early renewal. Meanwhile,Will Trentseason 3 ranks second in viewership totals, followed by9-1-1season 8 in third place andThe Rookieseason 7 in fourth. Despite not coming in last,Doctor Odysseyis still at risk of being canceled, andGrey’s Anatomygets to carry on with its 22nd season.
I’ve Changed My Mind, I No Longer Want Doctor Odyssey’s Max Purgatory Theory To Come True
Some Doctor Odyssey viewers believe that Max is actually in purgatory instead of on the ship, but it would be a shame if that were true.
Why ABC Was More Inclined To Renew Grey’s Anatomy Than Doctor Odyssey
Grey’s Anatomy Has 21 Seasons Under Its Belt
Perhaps it doesn’t make sense to some why ABC would renewGrey’s Anatomyinstead ofDoctor Odysseydespite the latter seemingly performing better. However, the network takes other data and information into consideration rather than just live ratings. For example,Grey’s Anatomyis an institution that has a reputation unlike most other network TV shows.It has been around since 2005 and has produced almost 450 episodes, making it one of the longest-running scripted primetime series, giving it more leeway when it comes to renewals.
Grey’s Anatomyalso performs extremely well on streaming. According toCollider,Grey’s Anatomywas the most-streamed drama of 2024,raking in around 47.85 billion viewing minutes on Netflix and Hulu. Consequently, it was much easier for ABC to decideGrey’s Anatomy’s fate thanDoctor Odyssey.
