Ordinary Joe is an American drama television series that ran from September 20, 2021 to January 24, 2022 on NBC. The series, produced by 20th Television and Universal Television, is co-developed and co-executive produced by Garrett Lerner and Russel Friend. James Wolk plays the title role. In March 2022, the series was canceled after one season.
Premise
The series centers on Joe Kimbreau as he makes a pivotal, life-changing decision at his graduation from Syracuse University. The show follows him on three parallel timelines, starting ten years after his graduation: as a police officer, following in his father's footsteps; as a music star, following his passion; and as a nurse, after he marries his college sweetheart.
Cast and characters
Main
James Wolk as Joe Kimbreau, a man whose one fateful choice on the day of his college graduation has profound effects on who he becomes ten years later: Musician Joe: a famous musician who is married to Amy. Nurse Joe: a mild-mannered nurse who is married to Jenny, with whom Joe shares a son, Christopher. Officer Joe: A heroic police officer who is reunited with Amy after ten years. Natalie Martinez as Amy Kindelán, whom Joe meets on the day of his graduation: she is married to Joe, and about to launch a political career, in the "Musician Joe" timeline; she is married to Eric in the "Nurse Joe" timeline; and she is working for Congressman Diaz when Joe reenters her life after ten years in the "Officer Joe" timeline. Elizabeth Lail as Jenny Banks, Joe's college sweetheart: in the "Musician Joe" timeline, she is a high-powered attorney who reveals to Joe that she put their son up for adoption ten years before; in the "Nurse Joe" timeline, she is a paralegal who is married to Joe, but initially estranged from him, and together they are raising their son Christopher; and in the "Officer Joe" timeline, she is an assistant district attorney who is keeping the existence of their son with Joe secret from him. Charlie Barnett as Eric Payne, Joe's best friend: he is single and managing Joe in the "Musician Joe" timeline; he is a chef and is married to Amy in the "Nurse Joe" timeline; and he runs a pizza place and is married to Mallory in the "Officer Joe" timeline.
Recurring
David Warshofsky as Frank Kimbreau, Joe's uncle, who in the "Officer Joe" timeline is an NYPD detective. In the "Musician Joe" timeline, he has become Joe's head of security. In the "Nurse Joe" timeline, he has become a homeless drunk, estranged from most of his family. Anne Ramsay as Gwen Kimbreau, Joe's mother Adam Rodriguez as Bobby Diaz, a United States congressman who aspires to higher office John Gluck as Joe and Jenny's son with muscular dystrophy, who was given a different name in each timeline: Christopher ("Nurse Joe" timeline), cared for by a married Joe and Jenny. Lucas ("Officer Joe" timeline), raised by Jenny and her husband. Zeke ("Musician Joe" timeline), given up for adoption by Jenny years previously. Joe Carroll as Ray, Jenny's husband in the "Officer Joe" timeline Gabrielle Byndloss as Mallory, Eric's wife in the "Officer Joe" timeline Jason Burkey as Darren, Jenny's husband in the "Musician Joe" timeline Jack Coleman as Dr. Douglas Banks, Jenny's father Christine Adams as Regina Diaz, Bobby's wife
Notable guest cast
David Paluck as Christopher Kimbreau Sr., Joe's police officer father who died on 9/11 (in "Requiem", "The Letter") Wynn Everett as Celeste Kimbreau, Joe's older sister (in "The Letter", "Thankful") Maurice P. Kerry as Officer Gary Winnick, saved by Joe's father on 9/11 (in "The Letter")
Episodes
Production
Development
The series was originally written as a pilot by executive producer Matt Reeves for ABC in 2006, based on a concept that Caleb Ranson had been developing for a separate British series for ITV, but neither program ended up moving forward. The project was revived a decade later and received a put pilot commitment by NBC on November 5, 2018. In January 2020, the series received a pilot order for the 2020–21 season and Adam Davidson was brought on as director the following month. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 resulted in the series being pushed to the 2021–22 season. On March 31, 2021, NBC picked up the pilot to series. On March 4, 2022, NBC canceled the series after one season.