What does a former Psycho do? He becomes The Good Doctor.
Freddie Highmore played Norman Bates for five seasons on Bates Motel. Most already know: Norman was first onscreen in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1960 film, Psycho.
Now, Highmore stars as Dr. Shaun Murphy in The Good Doctor. The show airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on CTV and ABC.
“I came on board after the pilot was already written and set up at ABC,” said Highmore during a visit to Toronto. “It was only three days after finishing Bates when I first read the script and sat down with David Shore to discuss it. It was a pretty quick turnaround. I guess I couldn’t be luckier to finish a run with one amazing character, to start with another so quickly afterward.”
David Shore created the television show House, which ran for eight seasons. Hugh Laurie was the title character. Shore developed The Good Doctor, since the concept is based on the South Korean series. Daniel Dae Kim (of Hawaii Five-0 and Lost fame) is one of the executive producers for the North American version.
The story focuses on Dr. Shaun Murphy who has autism and savant syndrome. He joins St. Bonaventure hospital’s surgical unit. He also deals with plenty of challenges and navigates his relationships like those within his team: Dr. Neil Melendez (Nicholas Gonzalez), Dr. Claire Browne (Antonia Thomas) and Dr. Jared Kalu (Chuku Modu). There is a steady supporter in Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff), who fought for Dr. Murphy’s hiring.
“I mean we all felt a great responsibility from the beginning, to make sure that Shaun was portrayed as authentically as possible, in regard to his autism,” said Highmore. “At the same time, we need to remember that he doesn’t – nor should he – or nor should we, try to make him represent everyone who is on the spectrum. In the same way, the neurotypical lead character of the show can’t possibly represent everyone, who is neurotypical in the world.
It’s been about lending a sense of authenticity, of course, by digging out Shaun’s individual idiosyncrasies. What makes him tick, what makes him laugh, we find out what he loves. And the people this season he may fall in love with. That’s what I loved about the script, from the beginning it’s that celebration on how he thinks differently. As opposed to the focus on the obstacles that are very real, which he faces and doesn’t entirely define who he is.”
It’s still early in this new season but indicators point to The Good Doctor being a hit. Despite numerous television critics giving negative reviews to the show, ABC ordered a full season after only two episodes had aired. On separate occasions, The Good Doctor topped other popular shows in viewers, including The Big Bang Theory, This Is Us and NCIS.
“We’ve been lucky so far,” said Highmore. “I think there’s something endearing about Shaun – and refreshing – about his positive outlook on the world. How he always tries to see the good in people, his optimism. The fact that he doesn’t shy away from asking important questions without the sense of judgment, so I think people have been drawn to that.
“Especially in a world, that has so much negativity or seems to have so much negativity on a daily basis. But also within a hospital environment, that probably [sees] more heartbreak than joy, you need someone like Shaun to keep you believing in the world and believing in people.”
The Good Doctor also films on the west coast in Vancouver. (This writer has not visited the city and Highmore picked up on it.)
“You’ve never been to Vancouver?” he said. “You should come. I feel like a Vancouverite now, defending the city. Like, why haven’t you been? Vancouver is such a lovely place. I have had a great time there. I’ve had so many personal memories because we filmed Bates Motel there too. One of the nice things about getting to return for the Good Doctor, we’ve managed to convince many of the same people who were working on Bates to shoot on this new show. So, it feels like the family from Bates, in terms of the crew, is still somewhat intact.”
