One of the most gut-wrenching storylines in the final season of The Good Doctor was the slow decline—and implied death—of Dr. Aaron Glassman, played by Emmy winner Richard Schiff. As the beloved mentor to Dr. Shaun Murphy, Glassman’s journey was filled with emotional highs, personal battles, and unconditional support. But fans were left teary-eyed and shaken when the series finale subtly hinted that Glassman had passed away, without explicitly showing it on screen.
In a recent interview, the showrunners opened up about how they broke the news to Schiff and how he responded to one of the most emotionally charged decisions in the show’s seven-season run. Showrunner David Shore revealed that he told Richard Schiff early in the final season that Glassman’s fate was being sealed. “We didn’t want to blindside him,” Shore said. “Richard is such a thoughtful, invested actor. We knew we had to give him time to emotionally and artistically prepare for where we were taking Glassman.”
According to Shore, Schiff took the news with both grace and emotion. “He understood it,” Shore explained. “He said something that stuck with me—he told us, ‘If this is what serves the story, then let’s do it. But I want it to be meaningful.’” Schiff didn’t ask for a dramatic death scene. Instead, he wanted Glassman’s exit to reflect the quiet dignity and wisdom that had defined his character. “Richard’s not about ego,” said Friedman. “He’s about truth. And he brought that truth into every single scene, especially those final ones.”
In private conversations with the writers, Schiff reportedly talked about his character’s impact on Shaun and how Glassman’s legacy could live on without a climactic goodbye. The final scene in which Shaun sits next to an empty chair, quietly speaking to Glassman as if he were still there, was a result of that collaboration. The writers made a bold choice by not confirming Glassman’s death directly. There was no hospital scene, no last breath, no funeral. Instead, viewers were left to interpret the truth based on emotional context and Shaun’s heartfelt monologue.
“It was always meant to be poetic,” Friedman said. “We didn’t need to show a flatline on a monitor. We needed to show what it meant to lose someone. And Shaun sitting beside that empty chair, still talking to Glassman—that was more powerful than anything else we could have shown.” The ambiguity sparked heated discussion among fans, with some hoping Glassman might still be alive in Shaun’s future, while others accepted his absence as confirmation of his passing.
From the beginning, Dr. Aaron Glassman served as Shaun Murphy’s anchor. He was more than a mentor—he was a father figure, a fierce advocate, and, at times, the only person who truly believed in Shaun’s ability to succeed in medicine despite his autism and savant syndrome. Over the seasons, fans saw Glassman battle cancer, fall in love, experience loss, and grow into a more vulnerable version of himself. Schiff’s performance consistently brought depth, nuance, and a quiet strength to every scene. “Glassman was the heart of the show in many ways,” said Friedman. “And Richard gave him that heart. It was only fitting that even in his absence, Glassman’s presence would be felt in the finale.”
Freddie Highmore, who plays Shaun, has said that filming the final moments of the show—particularly the ones referencing Glassman—was the most emotional part of the shoot. “That scene where Shaun is talking to an empty chair… we all knew what it meant,” Highmore shared in a behind-the-scenes interview. “It didn’t need words. It was about love, memory, and grief. And it was Freddie’s and Shaun’s goodbye to someone who shaped their entire world.” The crew reportedly grew silent during the filming of that scene, knowing it was more than just another take—it was a farewell to a pillar of the show.
After the finale aired, Schiff took to social media to share his thoughts. In a reflective post, he wrote: “I’ve been lucky to play characters with heart, but Dr. Aaron Glassman was special. His love for Shaun was unconditional. Thank you to everyone who watched, who cared, and who carried his journey with them. I’ll miss him deeply.”
Fans responded with overwhelming gratitude, praising Schiff for his performance and the humanity he brought to a character who often said the quiet thing out loud. Even though Dr. Glassman may no longer be physically present in the world of The Good Doctor, his legacy remains woven into the DNA of the show’s finale. The young surgical resident Shaun mentors in the time jump? A reminder that belief and support can change the course of someone’s life—just as Glassman’s belief changed Shaun’s. “Glassman gave Shaun his shot,” Shore said. “He fought for him, challenged him, and loved him. That relationship changed them both—and it changed this show.”
