After bidding farewell to his iconic role as Dr. Shaun Murphy in The Good Doctor, Freddie Highmore is proving once again that he’s far more than just a one-role actor. In The Assassin, a gripping British crime thriller, Highmore reinvents himself alongside acclaimed actress Keeley Hawes in a series that’s both chilling and deeply human.
Stepping away from the sanitized corridors of San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital, Highmore now finds himself immersed in a shadowy world of espionage, betrayal, and moral ambiguity. The Assassin tells the story of a young intelligence analyst, Tom Rainer (played by Highmore), who is pulled into a covert operation involving a mysterious operative known only as “The Assassin,” played with haunting precision by Hawes. Their dynamic is electric—Hawes’ calculated intensity clashes with Highmore’s quiet urgency, making for a slow-burn tension that builds relentlessly with each episode.
For Highmore, The Assassin represents a bold leap forward. After seven seasons portraying a brilliant surgeon with autism, he was ready to challenge himself with something radically different. The new role allowed him to delve into the psychological toll of modern-day intelligence work—something he says demanded a different kind of vulnerability. Gone is the stammering genius of Shaun Murphy. In his place is a man caught between duty and conscience, thrust into circumstances far beyond his control.
Unlike many spy thrillers, The Assassin doesn’t rely on explosions or car chases. Instead, it draws viewers into a cerebral cat-and-mouse game, where the real stakes lie in secrets and motives. Set against the grey, rain-soaked streets of London and the stark isolation of intelligence outposts across Europe, the show is visually bleak but narratively rich. Every detail matters, every silence speaks volumes, and every conversation feels like it could be someone’s last.
Critics have already praised the series for its tight writing and restrained performances. Hawes, best known for Bodyguard and Line of Duty, is especially chilling as a killer who may not be what she seems. Her scenes with Highmore crackle with tension, revealing layers of moral conflict as their characters slowly begin to understand one another. What starts as a simple mission soon spirals into a dangerous alliance, filled with ethical dilemmas and buried traumas.
Highmore’s transformation is particularly striking. Having grown up on screen—from Finding Neverland to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and later Bates Motel—he’s always brought depth and nuance to his roles. But in The Assassin, he shows a maturity and confidence that signal a new chapter in his career. There’s a quiet menace to his character, a slow unraveling that feels real and earned. His Tom Rainer isn’t a hero in the traditional sense; he’s flawed, frightened, and unsure of who to trust.
Beyond its central characters, the show also explores the ethical grey areas of modern espionage. It questions the cost of national security, the weight of surveillance culture, and the personal toll of living a double life. For fans of thought-provoking thrillers like The Night Manager or Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Assassin is a welcome addition to the genre—intelligent, grounded, and emotionally gripping.
As for Freddie Highmore, this new role cements him as one of the most versatile actors of his generation. No longer just the face of The Good Doctor, he’s stepping into complex, morally ambiguous roles that allow him to showcase his full range. And with The Assassin, he’s done more than just move on from Shaun Murphy—he’s elevated his craft.
