Fans are bracing themselves for a bittersweet farewell season as The Good Doctor embarks on its last run. So, why is The Good Doctor ending with Season 7? Keep reading to find out.
ABC’s The Good Doctor is a medical drama following Dr. Shaun Murphy (played by Freddie Highmore), a young, autistic surgical resident at the fictional San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. Despite skepticism from his colleagues, Shaun use his extraordinary gifts and unique talents to save lives. The series first premiered in 2017 and was renewed for a seventh season in April 2023. Rounding out the cast is Richard Schiff as Aaron Glassman; Christina Chang as Audrey Lim; Chuku Modu as Jared Kalu; Fiona Gubelmann as Morgan Reznick; Will Yun Lee as Alex Park; Paige Spara as Lea Dilallo; Noah Galvin as Asher Wolke; Giacomo Baessato as Jerome Martel and Bria Samoné Henderson as Jordan Allen.
Despite consistently high ratings, ABC announced in January 2024 that the hit show would be ending with Season 7. The network did not provide a specific reason as to why The Good Doctor was being canceled at the time, only noting that it “was time to say goodbye.” The show’s executive producers also promised to give fans “the series ending that you all deserve.” We have more info on why the show is really ending below.
Why is The Good Doctor ending?
Why is The Good Doctor ending? The show’s cancelation came as a huge to shock fans, as Season 6 drew in more than 9 million total viewers. However, it’s not the only primetime drama ending this year. ABC also pulled the plug on the hit firefighter drama Station 19, while CBS canceled the long-running procedural Blue Bloods and The Big Bang Theory prequel series Young Sheldon.
Majority of these cancelations were due to tightening budgets and production delays caused by Hollywood’s dual strikes. While speaking to the press at the 2024 Television Critics Tour, executive producer David Shore shared that decision to cancel The Good Doctor was both a network decision and a storytelling decision.
“Years ago when I was doing another show, someone asked, ‘do you know how the show is going to end.’ [He said] Yes, I know exactly how this show will end. One day I will get a call from the network,” he said, per Deadline. He went on to admit that it’s been a “weird” year for television and added that the reduced episode count for Season 7 is “unfortunate.”
Most network shows have been hit with episode reductions this year and The Good Doctor‘s final season is no different. While past seasons have boasted 18-20 episodes, Season 7 will feature only 10, which is truncated from the originally planned 13. Shore did, however, note that “being able to go out on your own terms is a blessing.” He continued: “We get to plan a great finale and do something the fans will love.”
Executive producer Liz Friedman echoed the sentiment, telling TV Insider that they are “very grateful” that they were able to write a satisfying ending. She did note that it was ABC’s decision to end the show and said she would have liked to continue on. “We are very grateful that they told us that in a timely manner, which allows us to decide the terms that we’re going to end it on to craft a great ending and a great culmination of Shaun Murphy’s story, but that’s how that came about,” she said.
Fellow executive producer Daniel Day Kim, who also starred as Dr. Jackson Han in a five-episode arc during seasons 2 and 3, feels that seven years is a long time to be on air as well. “I know that’s rare and I appreciate that for what it is,” he told Deadline, adding that he is grateful for “everyone who has been a part of the show.” As for if he will return on-screen and reprise his role, Kim said that he “would love to come back,” but it might be difficult due to his filming schedule for other projects.
In addition to Dr. Jackson Han, fans are hoping to see fan-favorite Claire Brown (Antonia Thomas) return to St. Bonaventure. Thomas reprised her role for a brief appearance during Season 5, so it’s certainly possible. The final season has plenty of storylines to close out and it will also be introducing several new cast members, so fans have a lot to look forward to.
The Good Doctor Season 7 airs on ABC on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT and streams on Hulu.
