Note: This story contains spoilers from the Doctor Odyssey series premiere.

“Doctor Odyssey” is the latest in a series of Ryan Murphy-produced dramas premiering this fall — and it’s inherently the most fun to watch.

Following the debuts of true crime dramas “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” and “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” as well as FX serial killer drama “Grotesquerie,” the super producer launched the breezy Joshua Jackson-starring medical procedure ABC on Thursday. The series is equal parts “9-1-1” and “The Love Boat” and follows Dr), nurse Tristan Silva (Sean Teale) and Captain Robert Massey (Don Johnson).

As Jackson says, Murphy wanted to create a “beautifully absurd” series that would serve as a brilliant exit from the COVID era — a chance for both audiences and those involved in the production to “shine the page in a brighter light “.

“It’s not necessarily that it’s easier, because there are all sorts of dramatic things happening, but the show is focused on the positive aspect,” Jackson told TheWrap. “As an actor, I want to work on something where you can come in for an hour a week and sit down and enjoy the ride, but when you leave you feel better than when you sat down.”

Thursday’s premiere fully lived up to that premise, introducing the eye-catching world of “Doctor Odyssey” as Max met the new members of his team and juggled interpersonal relationships with some wild emergencies on board – including a food allergy due to eating too Many shellfish have a broken penis and a man falls overboard. And it won’t be long before the series sets up a love triangle drama between Max, Avery and Tristan, which should make for plenty of exciting drama.

TheWrap spoke with Jackson about leading the cast of the escapist medical drama, Max’s “Patient Zero” premiere turn and his dream guest stars.

TheWrap: Congratulations on “Doctor Odyssey.” It must be a special show to bring you and Ryan Murphy back to broadcast television. Why was this the right role for you at this stage of your career?

Jackson: I was told that (Ryan Murphy) wanted to talk to me and I was happy to talk to him. We tried to work together – and had become very close over the years. So we had a conversation in February and I told him that I’d like to do something that’s lighter, where the tone is more on the light side, rather than those heavy, dark places that I’ve been in. And also that I’m a father and my daughter is starting school soon, so I definitely have to stay in Los Angeles. And he said, “Well, I’ve got just the show for you.”

From there everything miraculously came together and here we are. And that’s a credit to him and his team. I don’t think I’ve ever worked on a more beautiful show – the boat, the clothes, the people all look incredible. And then he put together this wonderful cast, and that’s the piece that you just never know… I don’t want to speak for Phillipa and Sean – maybe they don’t really like me – but I really enjoy working with them. And Don is such a joy. I mean, what an incredible gift to have him on set and just being able to hear his stories.

It takes a very special star to lead a Ryan Murphy show, but joining the ranks of Rob Lowe, Angela Bassett and Peter Krause makes it feel right. And you’re also an executive producer. How does it feel to lead this cast?

There’s a lot that goes into starring in a show that has nothing to do with being in front of the camera. And the good news for me at this point in my life is that I’ve done this quite often. I actually enjoy the opportunity to have a say in the working environment, because the working hours are long and there’s nothing that can be done about that. I can’t solve this problem. This means we are separated from our families and loved ones for most of the day. And there’s no reason to make it unhappy beyond that.

That’s really Ryan’s mission for the show. Let’s stop feeling unhappy together. That’s why I’m really happy to take on this job in front of and behind the camera.

The show feels like a brilliant escape that we haven’t seen on television in a long time, but also deals with several medical emergencies at a rapid pace. There’s a lot going on, but this four-piece ensemble holds it all together. What relationship do you think fans will find most surprising?

The easiest choice would be the romantic dynamic (between Max and Avery). But between the captain and Dr. Bankman, Don and I have a wonderful father-son, mentor-mentee dynamic. Such relationships between adult men are not often discussed on television.

But about the show, you’re exactly right. There is positive chaos and a lot is happening. A lot happens in each episode and that’s part of the fun… The series is supposed to have that pace. And in the beginning, Ryan said to us, “I want it to sparkle. You have to be light on your feet and get the words out of your mouth. But you have to be human. You must be grounded.” With all the positive chaos happening around us, it becomes frivolous to not believe the people at the center. That’s why we want the world to be based around these four main characters and for their interpersonal relationships to feel real, so that all the chaos around them feels more real, even if it’s wonderfully absurd.

In the premiere we learn something about Dr. Max Bankman’s backstory, especially the twist that surviving COVID encouraged him to prioritize joy over everything else in his life. What other things did you hope viewers would notice or see about your character while watching the show?

Speaking of a specific character beat, it’s a specific reason why he does what he does. But I think it’s also, in Ryan’s eyes, a metaphor for where we’ve all been. No one has been spared from COVID, and whether you were in a pod with other people, whether you were isolated, whether you got the disease early, whether you got it late, or God forbid you lost someone – we all have this radical and only to benefit from the therapy, we talk about the traumatic event together. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t re-evaluated their life at some point during this time.

I think it’s a beautiful opening episode for the series because I just feel like we were all there. Not all of us chose to work on a cruise ship, but we all thought about it: “Maybe I just need to start over,” or “Maybe I just quietly got by but didn’t really live my life .” Everyone has been in the place that Max is in, and that’s what sparks the show. That’s the mission here: let’s all exhale together, turn the page, and commit to life.

Rachel Dratch and Tom McGowan were guests at the premiere, and Shania Twain was teased in a promo. How much more iconic could the guest star roster be for this show?

Well, Ryan’s Rolodex is pretty impressive. I’m never surprised when I’m told who our next playmate is. So the answer is: it can’t possibly become too iconic. Wherever his imagination goes, we’ll get it.

Who would be a dream guest star for you?

Hmm… I’d like Lewis Hamilton and Reese Witherspoon.

That would break the internet! Last question: The last show created by Ryan’s team, “9-1-1,” ran successfully for eight seasons and became a two-show franchise (there are apparently more to come). Do you have the same ambitions for “Doctor Odyssey”?

I’m usually very independent of the outcome because it’s not the piece I have control over. But I say this because of my current life situation, because of the desire to be at home and to take advantage of every minute that I can spend with my daughter while she is still little. Yes, if we were that lucky – if we were even half as lucky – I would be thrilled. Let’s get through launch week, but I hope the audience enjoys the show as much as we do. And if so, I hope we can continue to do this for a long time.

This conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

“Doctor Odyssey” airs Thursdays at 8pm ET/PT on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.