Athens, Greece – Freddie Highmore has made a career out of portraying intelligent, compassionate, and deeply human characters. From Finding Neverland to his long-running success as Dr. Shaun Murphy in The Good Doctor, the British actor became a symbol of quiet brilliance. But in his newest project, The Assassin, Highmore takes a thrilling leap into uncharted emotional and moral territory — one that could redefine how audiences see him.
The six-part Prime Video thriller, released on July 25, 2025, introduces Highmore as Edward, a troubled young man who reunites with his mother Julie (Keeley Hawes) — a retired contract killer hiding on a Greek island. Their uneasy reunion triggers a violent chain of events as Julie’s past resurfaces, dragging Edward into a deadly world of espionage and revenge.
Directed by brothers Harry and Jack Williams, known for The Tourist and Liar, the series merges emotional storytelling with fast-paced suspense. It’s part family drama, part international spy thriller — and entirely unlike anything Highmore has done before. Gone is the gentle empathy of Dr. Murphy; in its place stands a man consumed by secrets, guilt, and the need to understand the mother who abandoned him.
Highmore himself described the experience as “the most psychologically demanding role” of his career. “Edward isn’t a hero,” he explained in a recent interview. “He’s conflicted, unpredictable, and trapped between love and anger. That tension was both terrifying and exhilarating to play.”
Critics have already taken notice. The Guardian called The Assassin “a razor-sharp exploration of legacy and morality,” while Collider hailed it as “the year’s most atmospheric thriller.” Still, the series has sparked polarized reactions among viewers. While critics have praised its layered performances and elegant direction, audience reviews have been more divided — a reminder that challenging television often walks a fine line between acclaim and alienation.
Filmed across Greece’s breathtaking coastal landscapes, the show pairs its emotional intensity with cinematic beauty. Each frame feels deliberate, every silence charged with meaning. Keeley Hawes delivers one of her strongest performances in years, portraying a woman torn between maternal instinct and professional ruthlessness. Her chemistry with Highmore anchors the story in raw, painful authenticity.
For Freddie Highmore, The Assassin signals the next act of an already impressive career. Beyond starring, he also serves as an executive producer — giving him rare creative influence over both narrative and tone. That control shows: Edward’s character arc feels meticulously designed, balancing vulnerability with a growing sense of menace.
This project could prove pivotal for Highmore’s long-term trajectory. After years of being celebrated as television’s moral compass, The Assassin recasts him as a morally ambiguous antihero, capable of both tenderness and violence. It’s a role that demands range — and Highmore delivers it with haunting precision.
In The Assassin, Freddie Highmore doesn’t just step outside his comfort zone — he dismantles it entirely. The result is a gripping, beautifully crafted portrait of family, identity, and the sins we inherit. For an actor long admired for his innocence, this turn toward the dark side might just be his most illuminating yet.
