It’s safe to say that since The Good Doctor season 6 ended with some huge cliffhangers, audiences have been waiting expectantly for the seventh season.
While it’ll sadly be the show’s last, UK fans of the show will undoubtedly be overjoyed at the news that the series returns to our screens this week.
US fans were treated to a February release, and while it’s not too much of a long wait, UK fans can now remain happy in the fact that they’ll be finding out what’s to become of the beloved medical drama.
Aside from the usual hospital drama, the new season will also boast the return of not one, but two characters. That’s right, we’re finally getting a fitting conclusion to Dr Claire Brown’s story, as Antonia Thomas will be returning after having starred in the first four seasons of The Good Doctor.
While she won’t be back for the entire season, we do know she’ll be back for a couple of episodes, just like when Thomas returned at the end of season 5.
But that’s not the only character return to look forward to, as Brandon Larracuente will be reprising his role as Dr Daniel Perez, who left at the end of season 6 following his recovery from a car crash.
ABC announced the news of The Good Doctor coming to an end earlier in January, amid cancellations that also included Station 19 and The Good Lawyer, the spin-off series to The Good Doctor.
“The Good Doctor has been a once in a lifetime opportunity, but it’s time to say goodbye,” co-showrunners David Shore and Liz Friedman and fellow executive producer Erin Gunn said at the time in a statement.
“We are incredibly proud of the work we’ve done and the message we’ve been privileged to be a part of. We look forward to giving our fantastic fans, the truly extraordinary Freddie Highmore, the rest of our talented actors (and friends), and the best crew in the business the series ending that you all deserve.
“Thank you, Sony; thank you, ABC; thank you all.”
Highmore, who’s also an executive producer on the series, said: “Playing Dr Shaun Murphy has been an immense privilege and one of the most remarkable and rewarding experiences of my life.
“I will always be grateful to David, Liz and Erin, as well as the hugely talented — and lovely — cast, writers and crew who made this show possible. Caring deeply is what got us here.
“Thank you to Sony and ABC, and to everyone who has watched along at home. With love from Vancouver… tequila, stat!”
This marks the end for the Good Doctor franchise, but as fans mourn the loss of the show, executive producer David Shore admitted it was the right time to end.
Speaking to on the Television Critics Tour (via Deadline), Shore said: “We’ve been lucky enough to plan the ending we want to do. This has been a weird year. Only doing 10 episodes is unfortunate. [They originally planned for 13]. But being able to go out on your own terms is a blessing.”
“We get to plan a great finale and do something the fans will love,” added fellow executive producer Liz Friedman.
So, with that in mind, read on for everything you need to know about the seventh and final season of The Good Doctor.
The Good Doctor season 7 release date
The medical drama premiered in the US on Tuesday 20th February 2024 on ABC at 10pm ET/PT, airing weekly after that. Instalments also air the following day on Hulu.
And now, UK fans finally have a release date, as The Good Doctor will premiere in the UK on Wednesday 10th April on Sky Witness and NOW.
