When The Good Doctor first premiered in 2017, Freddie Highmore stepped into the shoes of Dr. Shaun Murphy — a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome — with quiet grace and thoughtful precision. Seven seasons later, Highmore reflects on the journey not just as an actor, but as a human being profoundly changed by the experience.
“Shaun has taught me so much about life,” Highmore once said. “He’s taught me about honesty, empathy, and the importance of seeing the world differently.” Those lessons resonate deeply with viewers who have followed Shaun from an anxious surgical resident in Season 1 to a confident, compassionate leader by Season 7.
From the beginning, Highmore approached the role with immense responsibility. He studied with autism experts, listened to families, and sought guidance from individuals on the spectrum to understand the nuances of Shaun’s behavior. “I didn’t want Shaun to become a caricature,” he explained. “He’s not defined by autism — he’s defined by who he is as a person.” That authenticity became the soul of The Good Doctor.
Each season revealed new sides of Shaun: his struggles with communication, his triumphs in surgery, his evolving friendships, and his emotional journey through love and marriage. Highmore’s performance matured alongside the character, capturing every subtle shift — from Shaun’s nervous stammers to his moments of quiet confidence.
As an actor, Highmore found himself deeply invested in Shaun’s emotional honesty. “Shaun doesn’t lie. He says what he feels, even when it’s uncomfortable,” he said. “That’s something most of us struggle with. Playing him reminded me that truth, however awkward, is powerful.”
It’s this unfiltered sincerity that made The Good Doctor such a rare show in the medical drama landscape. Where others rely on high-stakes tension, this series found beauty in human connection — a heartbeat in every diagnosis. And much of that came from Highmore’s nuanced approach: never sensationalizing Shaun’s condition, but instead letting viewers experience the world through his lens.
Beyond acting, Highmore also contributed as a writer, producer, and director. His episodes — notably “Empathy” and “Risk and Reward” — reveal his deep understanding of Shaun’s inner world. “Directing helped me see the show from a broader perspective,” he said. “It’s about finding humanity in every story, whether it’s a patient or a doctor.”
Off-screen, Highmore remains humble about the show’s global impact. The Good Doctor is broadcast in over 200 countries and translated into dozens of languages, inspiring conversations about neurodiversity and inclusion. “I’m proud that people around the world see Shaun as more than his diagnosis,” he reflected. “He’s someone who proves that kindness, intelligence, and vulnerability can coexist beautifully.”
Now in his early thirties, Highmore has grown up alongside Shaun Murphy — and audiences have grown with him. The character who once struggled to connect has now built a family, found love, and become a mentor to others. In many ways, Shaun’s journey mirrors Freddie’s — a story of quiet growth, resilience, and grace.
