Disturbing New Allegations Surface Behind ABC’s Latest Drama Series
When Disney-backed networks debut a brand-new television series, the company often aims to build a legacy program—something that could one day stand alongside Grey’s Anatomy or Modern Family. That was the ambition in the fall of 2024 when ABC introduced Doctor Odyssey, a medical drama set aboard a cruise ship and led by a cast that included Joshua Jackson, Don Johnson, Phillipa Soo, and Sean Teale.
The series mixed oceanic emergencies with personal drama, but according to a recently filed lawsuit, the most unsettling events happened off-camera.
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Filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the suit alleges that multiple crewmembers working on Doctor Odyssey were subjected to inappropriate and sexually harassing behavior by assistant prop master Tyler Patton. The complaints detail disturbing actions that have led to accusations of retaliation, wrongful termination, and a complete overhaul of the show’s props department.
The complaint, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, claims Patton sent members of the props team—including his wife, Tammie Patton, the department’s prop master—a fake news link suggesting President Joe Biden had dropped out of the 2024 election. When clicked, the link led to a graphic image of a naked man. The suit alleges that after sharing the link, Patton walked away and joked, “If I wasn’t f***ing the boss, I’d be fired.”
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The plaintiffs say the incident was reported to both HR and union representatives. Tyler Patton was terminated shortly afterward, but the consequences didn’t end there. The complaint goes on to state that Tammie Patton retaliated against the reporting employees by assigning them “demeaning tasks,” and that ultimately, the entire props department was dismissed.
20th ‘then almost immediately hired a whole new set of employees to replace Plaintiffs and other Props Department employees for the Dr. Odyssey Season 1 project,’ states the complaint. ‘Clearly, no ‘lay off’ had occurred. Instead, Defendants wiped the Prop Department’s slate clean to avoid having to deal with any remaining employee-relations issues tied to Tyler Patton’s and Tammie Patton’s misconduct.’
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This is not the first time Tyler Patton has been at the center of such serious accusations. According to the article, back in 2011, Patton was accused of “advanced sexual harassment” by a fellow crewmember while working on the medical drama House. That previous complaint included allegations of groping and attempts to organize group sex with women from other productions.
The more recent suit details further troubling behavior. Plaintiffs allege that Patton “frequently sent them pornographic images and grabbed the butts of many women who worked on set.” They also claim he derived pleasure from watching women react uncomfortably to his comments.
ABC had hoped that Doctor Odyssey, with its blend of high-stakes emergencies and star power, would deliver a long-term hit. The show featured everything from shark attacks to contagious outbreaks, but its backstage troubles have now taken center stage.
As Disney Dining has previously reported, this isn’t the only sexual harassment case connected to Disney properties. One notable recent example involved a Disney Springs employee who was fired after reporting harassment, leading to widespread public support and a petition demanding her reinstatement.
The plaintiffs in the Doctor Odyssey case are seeking unspecified damages and have cited sexual harassment, retaliation, negligent hiring, and wrongful termination as key claims. As of now, neither Disney nor ABC has issued a public statement.
At the time of this writing, Doctor Odyssey remains the only new scripted ABC series without clarity on a second season. Whether or not the lawsuit will affect its future is unclear, but the timing is difficult to ignore.
Do you think Disney and ABC have done enough to address workplace misconduct? Was letting go of the entire props department the right move? We want to hear your thoughts. Share your opinion in the comments, and stay with Disney Dining for ongoing coverage of this developing story and other major updates from across the Disney universe.
