Angela Bassett’s “9-1-1” character Athena Grant takes an unexpected cruise aboard the Odyssey Thursday, as two Ryan Murphy-created ABC shows cross over for the first time.
The no-nonsense LAPD sergeant is called in to prevent a possible robbery during the ship’s Casino Week and the investigation — which includes glamming it up in beautiful gowns — takes longer than she expects.
Bassett and “Doctor Odyssey” star Joshua Jackson, who plays dashing Dr. Max Bankman, teased what we can expect. “It’s our ‘Ocean’s 11’ episode with a heist,” said Jackson, who described it as a “return to the happy side of the show” after a tense two-parter with multiple shark attacks.
Both stars said the show is a nice break from the chaos of real life — including the recent LA wildfires that claimed Jackson’s home — and from the more hectic pace of filming “9-1-1.”
Here’s more of our interview with Bassett and Jackson:
TheWrap: Angela, how hard was it to get Athena on another cruise-ship after her near-fatal honeymoon cruise on “9-1-1”?
Angela Bassett: She didn’t have to be talked into it, per se, but she does just still herself for a minute, maybe close her eyes and say, “Oh, Lord, not this. Let me get my mind right.”
And it becomes a bit of a fashion show for Athena as well.
Bassett: It’s glamorous. And she gets to go undercover a little bit in beautiful gowns so she can try to blend in with the other good-looking folk.
Joshua Jackson: This is the beauty of “Doctor Odyssey,” that we can be everything. And I think for Angela, it was nice to get out of the ‘9-1-1’ world and put on a gown and do something else for a week.
What’s the biggest difference from filming an episode of “9-1-1,” Angela?
Bassett: It’s not as chaotic. No drones, no fire engines, rolling in cars, that sort of thing, but, it was the most beautiful set, the casino.
Jackson: We do have a couple of significant medical situations built around looking fabulous in our formal wear.
With real life being so serious and bleak right now, the show is a welcome distraction. Is that what people are telling you?
Jackson: It is. I hope it’s what people are taking from it. That’s what our intention is. The hope is that you get to come with us for an hour and kind of forget your worries.
We are not trying to be super serious. We want to take you on an enjoyable journey that can be adventurous and outrageous and have Angela Bassett. It can be all of these things and that it is a welcome distraction or a guilty pleasure that allows you to have one easy hour a week. Every week is kind of a different vibe.
Is filming a nice break for you too?
Jackson: It certainly is. I’ll be honest with you, my life has been a bit crazy here for the last several months, many months. We just wrapped for the season. And as much as I enjoy making “Doctor Odyssey,” I’m really enjoying having some downtime.
That’s really the sneaky genius of what Ryan put together: We know we’re on a boat. We know that there’s going to be medical drama, but every new group of guests gives us an opportunity to bring a different flavor to the show, which is a ton of fun.
It allows us to be whatever the show needs to be that week. Whether it leans into the comedy, whether it leans into the absurdity, or sometimes the grossness of the medical or action adventure or “Oceans 11.” It allows us to take these characters in the story in any way that they can dream up.
When the guests come to the show, do they get a tour of the set?
Jackson: Our sets are particularly beautiful. Every time a new set of guests arrive they get to our stages and say, “Oh my God, you’ve got to show me around.” We’ve become tour guides quite a bit.
Bassett: The casino set was just gorgeous. The state rooms are beautiful.
It would be nice if you could just live there.
Jackson: Well, I was looking for a place to live recently, but it turns out they don’t take favorably to you just sleeping on stage.
Angela, on “9-1-1” Bobby and Athena are in the middle of building a new house after theirs burned down. Do you miss the old set?
Bassett: I miss that house, it was a great set, and everybody gathered there. So I’m hoping that the new one has a nice homey feeling too. It’s got to be warm, it’s got to be cozy and it will be welcoming. I liked the backyard, the bedroom and the stairs, but that sofa was not the most comfortable. [Laughs].
“9-1-1” airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Thursdays on ABC, followed by “Doctor Odyssey” at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Both shows stream next day on Hulu.
