In the series finale of *The Good Doctor* Season 7, viewers are introduced to Shaun Murphy’s daughter for the first time. The episode leaps forward several years, depicting Shaun delivering a TED Talk with his family in attendance, including his wife Lea, their son Steve, and their daughter, who remains unnamed in the episode.
What is Shaun’s Daughter’s Name?
In an interview with TVLine, showrunners David Shore and Liz Friedman revealed that Shaun’s daughter is named Maddie, in honor of Dr. Glassman’s late daughter. They humorously noted that Lea didn’t get a say in naming their children. Friedman commented, “It’s Maddie,” and Shore added that the name is mentioned in the script but never spoken aloud. “It’s in the script that it’s Maddie, but it’s never said out loud. Freddie [Highmore] and I joked about that, with Freddie asking if Leah ever gets to name any of the children,” Shore said. Friedman explained, “Lea hasn’t experienced as much trauma as Shaun, so she defaulted on not naming the children.”
Naming his daughter Maddie brings a full-circle moment to the series. Dr. Glassman’s daughter Maddie passed away from an overdose before the events of the show, which contributed to his divorce. Dr. Glassman became a father figure to Shaun, and his influence was significant throughout the series until his death from brain cancer in the finale. By naming his daughter Maddie, Shaun honors Glassman’s memory and acknowledges his profound impact on Shaun’s life and career.
The Purpose of the Dr. Aaron Glassman Foundation
Alongside naming his daughter Maddie, Shaun and Dr. Claire Browne establish the Dr. Aaron Glassman Foundation for Neurodiversity in Medicine. This foundation supports hospitals and universities in fostering neurodiverse individuals. It underscores Shaun’s deep connection to Dr. Glassman and his dedication to perpetuating his mentor’s legacy.
In Season 7, Shaun begins to step into a mentorship role akin to Dr. Glassman’s, particularly with the introduction of an autistic medical student named Charlie at the hospital. Shaun’s future involvement in mentoring other surgeons continues Dr. Glassman’s legacy. Naming his daughter Maddie is just one of the ways Shaun keeps his mentor’s memory alive, a tribute he is likely to honor throughout his life.
