Freddie Highmore’s latest project, The Assassin, is making waves across the entertainment industry — not just for its gripping story, but for the sharply divided reactions it has sparked among viewers and critics alike. The six-part Prime Video thriller marks Highmore’s much-anticipated return to television after the conclusion of The Good Doctor, but while critics have hailed his performance as one of his finest to date, audience reactions have been notably mixed.
In The Assassin, Highmore stars as Edward, a quiet young man whose world unravels when he discovers that his estranged mother, played by Keeley Hawes, was once a contract killer. Forced into a dangerous game of deception and moral conflict, Edward must choose between loyalty to family and doing what’s right — a dilemma that perfectly suits Highmore’s gift for portraying emotional complexity.
Critics have been quick to praise the actor’s nuanced portrayal. The Guardian described his performance as “restrained yet deeply unsettling,” while Variety called it “a masterclass in quiet tension.” Many have noted that Highmore’s transformation from the earnest Dr. Shaun Murphy in The Good Doctor to a morally conflicted antihero demonstrates a remarkable range. “This is the kind of evolution great actors strive for,” one reviewer wrote. “Highmore proves he’s not afraid to take risks.”
However, despite glowing reviews from the press, The Assassin has polarized general audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, the show’s critics’ score sits comfortably in the high 80s, while the audience score lags significantly behind. Some viewers have criticized the series’ slow pacing and somber tone, describing it as “too cerebral” and “emotionally heavy.” Others, however, have praised its intelligence and atmospheric storytelling, calling it “the thinking person’s thriller.”
For Highmore, the divide may be exactly what he intended. In a recent interview, he acknowledged the risk of alienating some viewers with a darker project. “You can’t please everyone,” he said. “I think good storytelling challenges people — it makes them uncomfortable, and that’s what stays with them.”
The Assassin also marks an important professional milestone for Highmore as an executive producer. Having developed a reputation for precision and discipline on set, he took an active role in shaping the show’s creative direction. Insiders describe him as “meticulous” and “involved in every stage of production,” from script development to post-production editing.
Visually, the series is stunning. Shot across Greece, Spain, and the United Kingdom, it blends sweeping landscapes with intimate character-driven drama. The cinematography, paired with an eerie original score, enhances the show’s atmosphere of quiet dread and moral ambiguity.
Whether audiences love or hate The Assassin, few can deny its ambition — or Highmore’s fearless performance. It’s a bold move for an actor who has spent the past decade balancing intellectual charm with emotional authenticity. If The Good Doctor made him a household name, The Assassin may well redefine him as a serious dramatic powerhouse.
As the conversation around the series continues, one thing is clear: Freddie Highmore has outgrown the safe confines of traditional television drama. He’s no longer just the talented boy from Finding Neverland — he’s an actor unafraid to take risks, even when it divides his audience.
