Joshua Jackson Playfully Claims Don Johnson Inspired Below Deck’s Captain Lee

Fans of Bravo believe that Captain Lee Rosbach from Below Deck pioneered the “Stud of the Sea” persona — however, Joshua Jackson argued that his Doctor Odyssey co-star Don Johnson may have been the true originator.

“I’m about to give you a compliment,” Jackson, 46, joked with Johnson, 75, during an exclusive conversation with Us Weekly. “I think the Stud of the Sea studied Don Johnson. Don did not study the Stud of the Sea.”

Johnson concurred with Jackson’s perspective. “I’ve spent a good amount of time on the water — not only racing but also filming,” he pointed out. “Thus, I have a comfortable relationship with [the water].”

He added: “I’ve always had a natural knack for authority and expressing it. That’s part of what I do. I like to think that most people pay attention to me because of that.”

Before Doctor Odyssey debuted in September 2024, reality television enthusiasts were captivated by the high seas, thanks to Captain Lee of Below Deck. As the show’s original cast member since its 2013 launch, he took a hiatus from filming Season 10 due to health reasons. Lee, 75, made a comeback later in the season but was eventually succeeded by Below Deck Adventure’s Captain Kerry Titheradge.

Captain Lee was often dubbed the “Stud of the Sea” until Johnson’s Captain Massey made waves on Doctor Odyssey. This ABC drama introduced viewers to Jackson’s character, Dr. Max Bankman, as he embarks on a journey to become the new doctor on the Odyssey, a cruise ship captained by Massey.

Doctor Odyssey, featuring Phillipa Soo and Sean Teale, has taken bold strides in storytelling while keeping audiences on the edge of their seats weekly. Having boat owner Johnson share his experiences from other projects, such as Miami Vice and Nash Bridges, has likely contributed to this dynamic.

In his conversation with Us, Jackson also took the opportunity to commend creator Ryan Murphy for bringing the world of Doctor Odyssey to life. He remarked, “Ryan’s imagination is prolific and bizarre, able to accommodate both the grotesque and absurd alongside his lighter, more joyful shows. It’s remarkable to have all of that in one person’s mind.”

Jackson reminisced about his desire to collaborate with Murphy “for quite a long time.”

“One aspect I admire about his shows is the dialogue and how it maintains its momentum. The conversations are always quickened, never slowing down,” he noted. “This particular show leans more to the lighthearted side of his imagination. So throughout this entire season, despite the long hours that sometimes leave my brain feeling like mush, we’ve made a point to remind each other to enjoy the process.”

He wrapped up by saying: “Ryan’s guidance was to make it sparkle. He said, ‘Ensure my show sparkles.’ We have endeavored to make sure that this show shines brightly, hoping that the joy we experience while performing and creating it translates to the audience.”

Doctor Odyssey airs on ABC on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.