American Odyssey (2015)
A globe-spanning NBC conspiracy thriller where a soldier, a lawyer, and an activist are drawn into a deadly corporate cover-up.
American Odyssey - Series Information
- Original Title: American Odyssey
- First Air Year: 2015
- Last Air Year: 2015
- Created by: Adam Armus, Peter Horton et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (53 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: April 5, 2015 (Germany - 16), April 5, 2015 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: NBC
- Alternative Titles: Odyssey (US)
- Production Companies: Universal Television, Fabrik Entertainment, Red Arrow Entertainment
- Production Countries: United States of America
American Odyssey - Plot
In this "Traffic"-like action drama, an international conspiracy explodes when three strangers' lives unexpectedly collide - a female soldier, a corporate lawyer and a political activist.
American Odyssey - Trailer
See the conspiracy unfold in the official American Odyssey trailer:
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American Odyssey - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Adam Armus
- Peter Horton
- Nora Kay Foster
Main Cast
- Anna Friel
- Peter Facinelli
- Jake Robinson
- Jim True-Frost
- Sadie Sink
- Omar Ghazaoui
- Nate Mooney
- Elena Kampouris
- Daniella Pineda
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Writers
- Adam Armus
- Nora Kay Foster
- Peter Horton
- Bill Kennedy
- Arika Lisanne Mittman
Executive Producers
- Nora Kay Foster
- Peter Horton
- Henrik Bastin
- Mikkel Bondesen
- Simon Maxwell
American Odyssey - FAQs
Is American Odyssey based on a true story?
American Odyssey is a work of fiction, though it draws on real-world anxieties about corporate corruption, military cover-ups, and government surveillance. The show's creators crafted a plausible conspiracy thriller inspired by post-9/11 geopolitics and the kind of shadowy corporate influence that has become a recurring theme in contemporary political drama.
Why was American Odyssey cancelled after one season?
NBC cancelled American Odyssey after its first and only season due to disappointing ratings. Despite a promising premise and a strong lead performance from Anna Friel, the show struggled to build a consistent audience in a competitive primetime landscape, and the network chose not to renew it for a second season.
Where can you watch American Odyssey?
American Odyssey is available to buy on Google Play Movies. Streaming availability may vary by region, so it's worth checking your local platforms for the latest options.
Who plays the lead role in American Odyssey?
British actress Anna Friel leads the cast as Odelle Ballard, a U.S. Army Special Operations soldier stranded behind enemy lines after stumbling upon evidence of a massive corporate conspiracy. Friel brings considerable depth and physicality to the role, anchoring the show's most compelling storyline across all 13 episodes.
What is the conspiracy at the heart of American Odyssey?
The series centers on a cover-up involving a powerful corporation funding terrorist organizations. When soldier Odelle Ballard discovers proof of this arrangement, she becomes a target. Her survival story intersects with a corporate lawyer and a political activist who independently uncover the same dangerous truth from different angles.
How many episodes does American Odyssey have?
American Odyssey ran for a single season of 13 episodes, airing on NBC in 2015. The show was designed with a serialized, season-long arc, meaning the conspiracy narrative builds continuously from the premiere through to the finale rather than resolving episode by episode.
How was American Odyssey received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed. Reviewers praised Anna Friel's committed performance and the show's ambitious scope, but many felt the three-strand narrative structure spread itself too thin. The series was frequently compared to ensemble conspiracy dramas like Traffic, though critics noted it never quite matched that film's taut momentum.
What shows are similar to American Odyssey?
If you enjoyed American Odyssey, Prison Break and Designated Survivor: 60 Days offer similarly tense, conspiracy-driven narratives. Vigil and Jericho are also strong picks for fans of political intrigue and ensemble casts navigating high-stakes cover-ups. Fool Me Once delivers comparable twisty thriller energy in a more compact format.
More About American Odyssey
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