For seven seasons, Freddie Highmore brought audiences into the world of Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, in ABC’s acclaimed drama The Good Doctor. While the series earned praise for its emotional storytelling and its portrayal of neurodiverse characters, Highmore himself admits that the show did more than just shape his career — it also changed the way he understands relationships.
Highmore, who had already built an impressive résumé with roles in Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Bates Motel, found himself in uncharted territory when he signed on to play Shaun. Unlike his earlier characters, Shaun’s story was less about external action and more about the delicate, often complicated dynamics between people — patients and doctors, colleagues and friends, and, ultimately, romantic partners.
In recent reflections, Highmore has emphasized how the show’s scripts challenged him to think more deeply about human connection. “Shaun’s journey is so much about learning to communicate, to open up, and to trust others,” he has noted. “That process has been eye-opening for me as well. Playing him has taught me how much patience, honesty, and empathy matter in relationships.”
Throughout the series, viewers watched Shaun navigate milestones that went far beyond the operating room. His evolving romance with Lea Dilallo (played by Paige Spara) became a cornerstone of the show, offering tender, sometimes painful insights into love and partnership. For Highmore, those storylines provided a rare opportunity to embody not just the clinical side of medicine, but also the emotional struggles of intimacy, vulnerability, and compromise.
Critics often credited the actor’s nuanced performance for grounding the series in authenticity. Yet Highmore insists that the lessons weren’t one-sided. He describes the role as a kind of mirror, reflecting back truths about his own understanding of relationships. “It’s not just about portraying Shaun,” he explained in one interview. “It’s about recognizing the universal challenges we all face in trying to connect with others, and how those challenges don’t define us — they can make us stronger.”
The experience of leading The Good Doctor also fostered deep bonds off screen. Highmore has spoken warmly about the friendships he built with his castmates, describing the set as a place of collaboration and mutual respect. In many ways, the camaraderie behind the scenes echoed the themes of teamwork and trust explored in the series itself.
As the show concluded after its seventh season, Highmore reflected on how much Shaun Murphy had given him — not just as an actor, but as a person. “You can’t spend that many years with a character without taking something away,” he said. “For me, it’s a greater appreciation of what it means to listen, to care, and to be present in relationships.”
Now, as Highmore moves on to new projects, those lessons continue to resonate. For audiences, his portrayal of Shaun will remain an indelible reminder of the power of empathy and understanding. For Highmore, it stands as a personal milestone — proof that sometimes the most meaningful scripts don’t just tell a story, they change the storyteller.
