Don Johnson is back. He’s wearing a crisp white uniform, standing on a bridge, and looking exactly like the guy you’d trust to navigate a luxury cruise ship through a Category 5 hurricane without spilling a drop of his martini.
But there’s a catch.
If you’ve been looking for the new show with Don Johnson, you probably stumbled upon Doctor Odyssey. It premiered on ABC in late 2024, riding a massive wave of hype. Seriously, the trailer alone racked up nearly 78 million views in its first 48 hours. People were hungry for that classic Ryan Murphy gloss mixed with Johnson’s effortless "cool dad" energy.
Then things got weird.
The "Odyssey" isn't exactly sailing into Season 2
Here’s the reality check: Doctor Odyssey was canceled by ABC in June 2025. Yeah, I know. It hurts. The show followed Dr. Max Bankman (played by Joshua Jackson) as he joined a high-end medical team on a luxury vessel called The Odyssey. Don Johnson played Captain Robert Massey, the grizzled but charming soul of the ship.
It felt like the perfect Thursday night "guilty pleasure" show. You had the high-octane medical emergencies—think everything from plastic surgery mishaps to literal shark attacks—sandwiched between messy romance and big-budget guest stars like Shania Twain and John Stamos.
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So why did it sink?
Basically, the "Big Deck Energy" wasn't enough to save it from the ledger. Despite solid initial numbers, the ratings started to drift. By the time the finale aired in May 2025, the show was sitting near the bottom of ABC’s scripted rankings. Reports from the 2025-26 upfronts suggested the production costs were just too high for the viewership it was pulling in.
Why fans are still talking about Captain Massey
Don Johnson didn't just show up for a paycheck. He brought a specific gravity to the role of Captain Massey. He once described the character as a "lifer"—a guy who started on clam trawlers at 18, probably did a stint in the Navy, and took the cruise gig as a sort of high-stakes retirement.
He was the anchor. While the younger leads were busy with "throuple" drama and love triangles, Johnson’s Massey was the one dealing with the literal weight of the ship.
Honestly, the chemistry between Johnson and Jackson was the best part of the show. It had that mentor-mentee vibe that actually felt earned. Most people expected a typical medical procedural, but Doctor Odyssey leaned hard into the surreal, the glamorous, and sometimes the flat-out bizarre.
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The "Fever Dream" Theory
If you watched the show, you definitely heard the fan theories. Some viewers were convinced the whole series was a dream Max was having while recovering from a coma. It’s a classic Ryan Murphy trope, right?
Everything on the ship was too perfect. The lighting was too golden. The medical cases were too convenient. Even Captain Massey felt like a larger-than-life figure from a storybook.
Whether or not that was the intended direction, we’ll probably never know for sure. The cancellation happened right as cast options expired in June 2025. There’s been some talk about Ryan Murphy moving the show to Hulu or another platform—it actually performed really well on streaming—but as of early 2026, the ship remains docked.
What else is Don Johnson up to in 2026?
Don’t worry about Don. He’s not sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring. If you missed Doctor Odyssey, or you've already binged all 18 episodes and need a fix, you should look for Unit 234.
It’s a thriller that hit theaters and on-demand in May 2025. Johnson plays a character named Jules, a mystery man who shows up at a storage facility during a night shift and starts making some very dangerous demands. It's a 180-degree turn from the noble Captain Massey. It’s gritty, tense, and proves that even in 2026, the man still has that "Miami Vice" edge when he wants to use it.
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How to watch the new show with Don Johnson right now
If you’re just now catching up, you can still find the full first (and only) season of Doctor Odyssey on Hulu and Disney+.
- Check the Guest List: Look for the "Shania Twain" episode. It’s peak camp and shows off Johnson’s comedic timing.
- Watch the Crossover: There’s a wild crossover event with 9-1-1 that aired in March 2025. Seeing Angela Bassett and Don Johnson share the screen is a "Mount Rushmore" moment for TV fans.
- Prepare for the Cliffhanger: The two-part finale, "The Wave," leaves things in a pretty precarious spot. Just a warning so you don't throw your remote at the TV when it ends.
The "traditional" network TV model is changing fast. Doctor Odyssey was an attempt to bring back the big, glossy, "The Love Boat" style procedural for a modern audience. While it didn't get the multi-season run many hoped for, it reminded everyone why Don Johnson is a permanent fixture in American living rooms.
If you want to stay updated on where the show might land next—or what Johnson’s next project is—keep an eye on industry trades like Deadline or the ABC status sheets. The industry is currently in a "re-boot" cycle, and popular streaming titles have a weird way of coming back from the dead just when you've given up hope.
For now, the best way to enjoy the new show with Don Johnson is to lean into the escapism, ignore the cancellation news, and just enjoy the ride on the Odyssey while it lasts.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Stream the Series: Head over to Hulu or Disney+ to watch the 18 episodes of Doctor Odyssey.
- Rent Unit 234: If you want to see Johnson in a darker, more intense role, check out the thriller Unit 234 on digital platforms.
- Track the "Move": Follow Ryan Murphy’s production updates; he has a history of moving "canceled" network shows to streaming if the fan demand is high enough.