The Good Doctor to End at ABC After 7 Seasons: ‘It’s Time to Say Goodbye’

Fans will soon see the last of Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy on The Good Doctor.

On Thursday, ABC announced that the medical drama, which premieres on Feb, 20, would be concluding with its upcoming seventh season.

“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 in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “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 not only stars but also serves as an executive producer, paid tribute to his time on the fan-favorite series in a statement of his own.

“Playing Dr. Shaun Murphy has been an immense privilege and one of the most remarkable and rewarding experiences of my life,” he gushed. “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.”

He concluded with a note of gratitude, adding, “Thank you to Sony and ABC, and to everyone who has watched along at home. With love from Vancouver … tequila, stat!”
The Good Doctor, which premiered on ABC in 2013, follows Highmore’s Dr. Shaun Murphy — a young autistic surgeon working at the fictional San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital.

The medical drama has been a consistent performer for the network in its six previous seasons. Last year, the medical drama averaged 6.24 million viewers in Nielsen’s seven-day ratings from 2022 to 2023, per the outlet. The show’s streaming ratings alone added 30 to 40 percent more viewers to the network’s linear total over seven days.
Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich also issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, celebrating the drama’s run on ABC.

“Thanks to David Shore and Liz Friedman’s creative direction and anchored by Freddie Highmore’s performance, The Good Doctor has captivated audiences, who have deeply connected with Dr. Shaun Murphy and the staff at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital,” he said. “As we prepare to finish this beloved story, words cannot express our gratitude for the incredible cast, crew and our partners at Sony and ABC Signature for the lasting impact they’ve made.”