For seven gripping seasons, Freddie Highmore has dazzled audiences with his portrayal of Dr. Shaun Murphy in The Good Doctor—a brilliant, autistic surgeon with savant syndrome whose medical brilliance is matched only by his compassionate heart. While many fans have marveled at Highmore’s ability to convincingly perform complex surgical procedures on screen, one question often bubbles to the surface: how much real surgical skill has he actually picked up?
In a candid interview, Highmore pulled back the curtain on just how much medical know-how he’s absorbed after years of playing one of TV’s most beloved doctors—and the answer is both surprising and endearing.
One of the hardest parts of playing Dr. Shaun Murphy is delivering accurate medical performances while also conveying complex emotional layers. Highmore’s character isn’t just a doctor—he’s a doctor on the spectrum, which adds another dimension to every scene. “There are moments where I’m trying to remember a complicated series of medical steps, but I also have to portray Shaun’s discomfort with eye contact or social interaction,” Highmore shared. “It’s like juggling five things at once while staying in character.” Despite the challenges, Highmore credits the show’s consultants—many of whom are doctors themselves—for making each scene feel authentic. “We have incredible advisors,” he said. “They walk us through every detail, from how to stand to what tools to hold.”
Working with realistic surgical props has also helped Highmore develop what he calls “technical confidence.” From prosthetic organs that bleed on cue to silicone flesh that can be cut and sutured, the props on The Good Doctor are astonishingly lifelike. “Sometimes it’s so real that you forget you’re acting,” Highmore confessed. “The weight of the surgical instruments, the look of the fake organs—it really does help immerse you into the world.” In scenes where Shaun performs delicate operations, Highmore is often given a crash course beforehand. A medical expert demonstrates the steps, and then he practices repeatedly until it looks natural. “There’s a bit of muscle memory involved,” he explained. “I’ve definitely learned how to fake being a surgeon convincingly.”
When The Good Doctor first began, Highmore admitted he knew almost nothing about surgical procedures. “I could barely pronounce some of the medical terms, let alone understand them,” he joked. But over time, he’s developed a working familiarity with the basics—especially with terminology related to the nervous system and brain, since Shaun is a surgical resident focused on neurology. “I wouldn’t say I understand everything, but I’ve picked up a decent amount,” he said. “At least enough to follow along in real-life medical documentaries and understand what’s going on.” In fact, Highmore says he sometimes surprises himself with how much he remembers. “I’ll be watching a medical show or reading a news story, and I’ll think, ‘Wait, I know that word. That’s the artery we operated on in episode five!’”
If there’s one thing Highmore is certain of, it’s this: acting like a surgeon doesn’t compare to actually being one. “The more I’ve learned, the more respect I have for real doctors,” he said earnestly. “It’s not just the technical skill—it’s the pressure, the decision-making, the emotional toll. I play a doctor for a few minutes at a time, surrounded by cameras and crew. They live it every day.” Highmore has often said that one of the show’s goals is to honor real healthcare workers. During the pandemic especially, The Good Doctor aimed to reflect the courage and sacrifice of the medical community. “It’s an immense responsibility,” Highmore noted. “We try to do justice to their stories.”
With The Good Doctor concluding after seven seasons, Highmore has begun reflecting on what he’ll take away from the experience. While he won’t be switching careers to medicine, he believes the role has changed him profoundly. “Playing Shaun has made me more empathetic,” he said. “It’s taught me patience, attention to detail, and how important it is to listen to people who think differently.” And while he laughs off the idea of performing a real surgery, he says he wouldn’t be entirely lost in a hospital emergency. “If someone fainted on a plane, I might at least know how to take their pulse,” he joked. “And I could probably talk the doctor through an episode of the show.”
Freddie Highmore may not be a surgeon in real life, but after seven years of portraying one, he’s picked up more than just a few lines of dialogue. From learning how to hold a scalpel like a pro to understanding the emotional weight of medical work, his time on The Good Doctor has left a lasting impression—on both himself and viewers around the world. While the show may have come to a close, Highmore’s portrayal of Dr. Shaun Murphy will be remembered not only for its emotional power but also for its authenticity. And who knows? If you ever see him on a flight, you just might want him seated nearby—just in case.
