In an era where representation in media matters more than ever, few performances have stood out as profoundly as Freddie Highmore’s portrayal of Dr. Shaun Murphy in ABC’s hit medical drama The Good Doctor. Since the show’s debut in 2017, Highmore has redefined how autism is depicted on screen—bringing depth, dignity, and humanity to a character that could have easily fallen into cliché.
Dr. Shaun Murphy is a young autistic surgeon with savant syndrome, who relocates from a quiet country life to join a prestigious hospital’s surgical unit. The journey is anything but smooth. Shaun faces skepticism from colleagues, social barriers, and the ongoing challenges of navigating a neurotypical world. But what makes his story compelling isn’t just his resilience—it’s the fact that he doesn’t change who he is to succeed. Instead, it is the world around him that must learn to understand, accept, and embrace difference.
Freddie Highmore, a British actor best known for roles in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland, and Bates Motel, took on the challenge of playing Shaun with an unmatched level of care and commitment. From the very beginning, Highmore made it clear that he would not rely on stereotypes or simplified portrayals. He worked closely with autism experts and advocacy groups to ensure that Shaun would be a realistic, respectful, and three-dimensional character. In interviews, Highmore often emphasizes that autism is not a monolith—each individual experiences the world differently, and Shaun is just one person’s story.
That level of authenticity shines through in every episode. Shaun is not the “magical genius” trope so often associated with characters on the spectrum. He is intelligent, yes—but also vulnerable, emotional, awkward, funny, romantic, and sometimes heartbreakingly honest. Highmore captures all of this with subtlety and grace, making Shaun one of the most layered characters currently on television.
What sets The Good Doctor apart is its refusal to define Shaun solely by his autism. The show explores his relationships, his fears, his dreams, and his deep desire to connect with others. From falling in love to confronting trauma, from losing patients to fighting for his place in the hospital—Shaun’s journey is one of growth, not transformation. He doesn’t need to “overcome” autism to be worthy; rather, the show celebrates his neurodiversity as an integral part of who he is.
Highmore’s performance has been widely praised by both critics and the autistic community. Many viewers with autism—or with autistic family members—have spoken about how rare and important it is to see a character like Shaun on prime-time television. For some, he represents hope. For others, validation. But for all, he’s a reminder that empathy, patience, and understanding go a long way in bridging gaps between different ways of being.
Behind the scenes, Highmore has gone beyond acting. As an executive producer of The Good Doctor, he has helped shape the narrative direction of the series, pushing for storylines that reflect real-world challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. His involvement ensures that Shaun remains consistent, complex, and compelling—not just as a character, but as a symbol of progress in media representation.
Freddie Highmore’s work on The Good Doctor is not only a testament to his talent, but also a call to the entertainment industry to do better. To move beyond tokenism. To write with compassion. To cast with purpose. And most importantly, to show that being different is not something to be fixed—it’s something to be respected.
