Fil-Am actress lands role in Joshua Jackson, Phillipa Soo’s ‘Doctor Odyssey’
Frankie McNellis (left) lands a role in the medical drama series “Doctor Odyssey.” Image: handout photo/Instagram, @doctorodyssey
Filipino-American actress Frankie McNellis has landed a role in the hit medical drama series “Doctor Odyssey” as the young version of Nurse Avery Morgan, portrayed by Broadway star Phillipa Soo.
McNellis, known for her roles in “Black-ish,” “13: The Musical” and “Honey Girls,” said the casting process for “Doctor Odyssey” was swift but competitive.
“It was actually a brief audition process. My agents provided me [with] the audition, which I taped at home with my mother. They approached me a few days later and offered me the role,” she shared.
The 18-year-old rising star said she binge-watched the entire series and studied Soo’s mannerisms as part of her preparation for the role.
“I wanted to ensure that I captured every feature and mannerism of Phillipa Soo’s character. Before shooting, I collaborated with the director to ensure that we got every aspect and viewpoint correct,” she said.
“I learned a lot from my director and co-stars. They have demonstrated professionalism, which is extremely crucial in the entertainment industry. I was fascinated by how they accomplished it. They know exactly what they’re doing,” the young artist added.
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McNellis said she had a “wonderful” time on the set, but one of the highlights of her experience was meeting Soo herself.
“I really met Phillipa while having my hair done. She was very polite, and we were surprised at how similar we are. She said I could be her younger sister,” she recalled.
McNellis, born to a Filipino mother and an American father, emphasized that she is proud to represent the Filipino-American community in Hollywood.
“Being Filipina is a part of who I am, and I will never leave the values that have been instilled in me […] My mother and father have always supported my career. My mother encourages me to be authentic and strive for excellence in all acting roles. I do not believe there is such a thing as a small role. It’s really how you make every role memorable,” she explained.
After the episode aired, critics applauded the Fil-Am actress’ interpretation of her role in “Doctor Odyssey,” describing her as a “young artist to watch out for in 2025 with a strong screen presence.”
Outside of acting, McNellis stays busy with music and school, as she revealed that she is currently working on new songs and animations.
“Doctor Odyssey” follows Dr. Max Bankman (Joshua Jackson) and his team as they handle unique medical cases while on board a luxurious cruise ship.
The series is created by Ryan Murphy, known for his work on the procedural drama series “9-1-1,” the musical comedy-drama series “Glee,” and the anthology series “American Horror Story.”
“Doctor Odyssey” also features Don Johnson and Sean Teale. The show premiered on Sept. 26, 2024, and currently airs on ABC.
