JTA — Writer and producer David Shore didn’t have to look far when developing a key new character for his hit ABC-TV series “The Good Doctor.” He went straight to his nieces and nephews, the children of his Orthodox rabbi brothers.
The show, which returns with new episodes on January 11, focuses on Shaun Murphy (played by Freddie Highmore), an autistic doctor who is able to diagnose complicated illnesses and come up with creative treatments. But its fourth season introduced some new faces.
“We wanted to bring in some doctors junior to Dr. Murphy, some characters who have less experience than him, people he can serve as a guide to,” Shore, 61, said in a telephone interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “We [the producers] spent a lot of time discussing various characters.”
Enter Dr. Asher Wolk (Noah Galvin), who was raised in a haredi Orthodox environment but no longer believes in God. Shore’s two brothers are Orthodox rabbis affiliated with the Aish Hatorah yeshiva based in Jerusalem.
“I’ve always been fascinated by religion and the lack of religion,” Shore said. “Some of [my brothers’] children are no longer religious, and I am fascinated by their experiences. I think it’s very interesting that they were brought up in one world and chose another.”
