Freddie Highmore, the actor who portrays Dr. Shaun Murphy, the “autism doctor” in The Good Doctor, is perhaps best known for his role as the brilliant yet socially challenged young surgeon with autism.
Before The Good Doctor, Freddie Highmore and Johnny Depp collaborated on two well-known films: Finding Neverland (2004) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005). In both films, Depp played iconic roles, and Highmore was cast as his young co-star. These two collaborations are significant not just for the films themselves but also for how they reflect the actors’ careers and the powerful themes they explore together.
In Finding Neverland, Depp portrayed J.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, and Highmore played Peter, a young boy who inspired Barrie’s writing. The film explores the importance of imagination, childhood, and the power of storytelling. Highmore’s performance was tender and filled with emotional depth, capturing the innocence and vulnerability of a child while grappling with the real-world struggles that often accompany growing up.
In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Depp took on the eccentric role of Willy Wonka, while Highmore played Charlie Bucket, the kind-hearted boy who wins a golden ticket to Wonka’s magical chocolate factory. Their performances together were a contrast of whimsical fantasy and grounded, earnest sincerity. Highmore’s portrayal of Charlie, a boy who comes from humble beginnings but remains humble and morally grounded, stands in stark contrast to Depp’s whimsical and troubled Wonka. The film explores themes of family, greed, and the consequences of indulgence, with Highmore’s innocent Charlie providing a moral compass to Depp’s more complex Wonka.
In a similar vein, Shaun Murphy’s journey in The Good Doctor revolves around breaking down the barriers of social stigma and learning how to connect with others. This thematic link between Highmore and Depp’s past roles is striking, as both actors have portrayed characters who are incredibly unique, and at times misunderstood, yet ultimately show that being different doesn’t diminish one’s value or potential.
Depp’s roles, especially in films like Edward Scissorhands and Finding Neverland, also touch on themes of embracing uniqueness and the struggles of being different. In Edward Scissorhands, Depp’s character is a misunderstood outsider who, despite his differences, demonstrates compassion and intelligence. Similarly, The Good Doctor emphasizes that Shaun’s differences—his autism—should not define his worth or his capabilities, but instead highlight the extraordinary contributions he can make to the world, particularly in the field of medicine.
Freddie Highmore’s portrayal of Dr. Shaun Murphy in The Good Doctor has made him a standout actor, especially as an advocate for the portrayal of neurodiversity in the media. The connection between Highmore and Johnny Depp—through their past collaborations in Finding Neverland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—adds another layer of depth to Highmore’s career. Both actors have played characters who are misunderstood, yet ultimately teach us valuable lessons about acceptance, growth, and the importance of human connection.
While Depp’s roles may seem far removed from the medical world of The Good Doctor, there are clear thematic connections between the characters he has portrayed and the emotional journey Highmore’s character, Dr. Shaun Murphy, embarks upon. Both actors have excelled in portraying outsiders who challenge the world’s assumptions about what it means to be “different,” and their work continues to inspire audiences with its depth, empathy, and emotional resonance. In the end, the journey of Shaun Murphy in The Good Doctor serves as a reminder that brilliance can come from unexpected places, and that everyone deserves a chance to show their worth, no matter how different they may seem.
