If you’re one of the millions of fans who were heartbroken by the end of The Good Doctor, you’re not alone. For seven seasons, Freddie Highmore brought Dr. Shaun Murphy to life with heart, humor, and humanity — giving audiences a nuanced portrayal of a brilliant autistic surgeon navigating life, love, and the operating room. When the series wrapped in 2024, it left a void in network television — and in the hearts of its fiercely loyal viewers. But there’s good news on the horizon. Freddie Highmore isn’t stepping away from television anytime soon. In fact, he’s already lined up his next major project — and this time, he’s heading into darker, more dangerous territory. From the hospital scrubs of San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital to the shadowy world of espionage and secrets, Highmore’s next role promises to be his boldest yet.
Following the emotional conclusion of The Good Doctor, Highmore is making a dramatic pivot with The Assassin, a gritty international thriller series that’s set to premiere in 2026. Unlike the kind-hearted Shaun Murphy, this new character lives in the grayest corners of morality. Highmore will play a highly skilled operative with a deadly past and a complicated mission. Details about the plot remain tightly guarded, but sources close to the production describe the character as “quietly lethal, emotionally fractured, and operating on the edge of redemption.”
Fans of The Good Doctor became emotionally invested in Shaun Murphy not just because of his genius in the OR, but because of his emotional vulnerability, his growth, and his strength in navigating a world that often misunderstood him. Freddie Highmore’s performance earned praise from audiences, critics, and the autistic community for its authenticity and care.
Now, as he steps into a role with a completely different emotional core, fans will get to witness another side of his remarkable range. The quiet intensity, the layered emotions, the inner conflict — those same qualities that made Shaun so compelling will be transformed in The Assassin into something darker, more elusive, and possibly even more captivating. It’s a testament to Highmore’s versatility that he can leave behind a beloved role like Shaun and immediately make us intrigued about what’s next. Not only will Highmore star in The Assassin, but he’s also taking a seat behind the camera as executive producer — continuing the creative journey he began on The Good Doctor, where he also wrote and directed episodes.
This new thriller series is being developed as an international co-production, with filming set to span across Europe and North Africa. The show’s production company, Alfresco Pictures — co-founded by Highmore — is taking a lead role in shaping the project, ensuring the story has the depth, tension, and psychological complexity fans have come to expect from his work. “Freddie isn’t just acting anymore — he’s shaping stories from the ground up,” said a source close to the production. “He has a vision, and The Assassin is going to reflect that. It’s personal, intense, and absolutely gripping.”
Freddie Highmore has never been one to rest on his laurels. From his early days as a child actor in Finding Neverland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, to his haunting portrayal of Norman Bates in Bates Motel, and finally to his empathetic take on Shaun Murphy, Highmore’s career has been a masterclass in intentional transformation. Each role feels like a reinvention, a conscious decision to explore new corners of humanity. And with The Assassin, Highmore is once again breaking away from expectations — proving that he can just as easily play the man saving lives as he can the man taking them. “Freddie always surprises you,” said The Good Doctor creator David Shore. “You think you know what he’s going to bring to a role, and then he delivers something entirely different — and brilliant.”
And yes, there will be emotional moments too. While The Assassin leans heavily into suspense and darkness, insiders say the series will also explore the personal cost of living a double life — a theme that Highmore was particularly drawn to. The Assassin is currently in pre-production and is set to premiere in late 2026 on a major streaming platform, rumored to be either Amazon Prime or Netflix. With a global distribution deal in the works and a production team that includes talent from Bodyguard, Killing Eve, and The Night Manager, expectations are sky-high. More casting announcements and a teaser trailer are expected in early 2026 — and if early buzz is any indication, this will be one of the most anticipated series of the year.
