We may be living through a pandemic right now, but we’re also living in the golden age of the Joshua Jacksonaissance, which is a big deal for an OG fan such as myself.
I’ve been withJoshua Jacksonsince the beginning, when he skated into my heart as Charlie Conway in 1992’sThe Mighty Ducks. As a teen, I didn’t want to have to wait for new episodes ofDawson’s Creek, having sung along toPaula Cole’s theme song every Wednesday night while watching The WB. I dutifully supported Pacey whenUrban Legend,Cruel IntentionsandThe Skullscame out, and remained a loyal fan when he turned a new leaf on his career withThe Affair, which led to more recent turns in the acclaimed limited seriesWhen They See UsandLittle Fires Everywhere.
And now, J-Jax is getting his own damn series, as he’s set to star in Peacock’sDr. Death, based on the hit Wondery podcast of the same name.
Jackson replacesJamie Dornan, who had to drop out when the show’s schedule changed as a result of the pandemic.Alec BaldwinandChristian Slaterare set to co-star inDr. Death, which will begin production this fall.
Dr. Deathis based on the terrifying true story ofDr. Christopher Duntsch(Jackson), a rising star in the Dallas medical community. Young, charismatic and ostensibly brilliant, Dr. Duntsch was building a flourishing neurosurgery practice when everything suddenly changed. Patients entered his operating room for complex but routine spinal surgeries and left permanently maimed or dead. As victims piled up, two fellow physicians, neurosurgeonRobert Henderson(Baldwin) and vascular surgeonRandall Kirby(Slater), set out to stop him.Dr. Deathexplores the twisted mind of Dr. Duntsch and the failures of the system designed to protect the most defenseless among us.
The series hails from Universal Cable Productions and writerPatrick Macmanus, who also serves as showrunner and executive producer via his Littleton Road Productions banner.Todd Black,Jason Blumenthal,Steve TischandTaylor Lathamalso executive produce via Escape Artists, as well asHernan LopezandMarshall Lewyof Wondery, where over 50 million listeners have tuned into theDr. Deathpodcast.
Series directors includeMaggie Kiley(Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story), who will also executive produce the first two episodes, as well asJennifer Morrison(Euphoria) andSo Yong Kim(Lovesong).
In addition to all the TV shows I previously mentioned, Jackson also starred in the FOX seriesFringefrom creatorJ.J. Abrams. Fans of that show canclick herefor Jackson’s thoughts on the series finale, but if you’re like me and you didn’t watchFringe, you canclick hereto read our most recent interview with Jackson forWhen They See Us.
