In the season premiere of the final chapter of The Good Doctor, fans witnessed Dr. Shaun Murphy take on his most personal challenge yet—fatherhood. The episode gave viewers a glimpse into Shaun’s emotional transformation from brilliant surgeon to brand-new dad. But what they didn’t see was the unexpected real-life moment that happened behind the scenes during the now-iconic diaper-changing sequence. According to executive producer Liz Friedman, when it came time to film a close-up baby change, the production hit a surprising snag: no one on set—not even the actors—was allowed or equipped to handle the real task. That’s when a real parent had to step in and save the scene.
It all happened during a quiet but meaningful scene in Episode 1, when Shaun attempts to change his newborn son’s diaper. The moment was designed to reflect Shaun’s growth as a character—no longer just a doctor navigating life on the spectrum, but now a father learning on the job. However, while the script was ready, the reality of filming with a real infant wasn’t so straightforward. Babies on set are highly protected under strict labor rules, and even something as routine as changing a diaper becomes a carefully choreographed task. Friedman revealed in a recent interview that the production team found themselves in a bind when they realized that they couldn’t simply pretend to change the baby’s diaper—nor could they ask Freddie Highmore, who plays Shaun, to do it on camera.
“We reached a moment where we all just looked at each other and thought, ‘Wait, we need to show this happening for the scene to work, and we can’t fake it,’” Friedman explained. That’s when the baby’s actual parent, who was present on set to supervise, volunteered to step in. With quick coordination, camera tricks, and a bit of on-the-fly creativity, the parent handled the diaper duty while the production team filmed around them—making it appear as if Shaun was doing the task himself. The result? A scene that felt raw, real, and emotionally honest, even though the hands on screen technically didn’t belong to the character.
Moments like this, while small, exemplify what The Good Doctor has always done so well: blending authenticity with storytelling. Over its seven-season run, the show has constantly tackled big themes—autism, medical ethics, love, loss—with grounded human moments that resonate. And in this final season, the stakes are even more personal. Shaun becoming a father isn’t just a narrative twist; it’s a milestone that ties together everything he’s been through since the pilot episode. He’s evolved from a socially isolated resident into a man capable of deep emotional connection—and now, a parent learning the messiness and joy of raising a child.
Of course, working with babies on set is no easy feat. There are strict labor regulations that limit how long infants can be on camera, how many breaks they require, and who can interact with them. Productions often use twins to stretch filming time or even dolls for specific shots, but when realism is key—as in this scene—a live shot is preferred. That realism, however, sometimes leads to unexpected challenges. “It’s like running a mini daycare in the middle of an operating room,” Friedman joked about the experience. “But that’s part of the fun and chaos of making this show.”
What makes this anecdote so endearing is how it mirrors the theme of the episode. Just as Shaun must rely on others to guide him through early fatherhood, the show itself had to rely on a real parent to get the scene right. It’s a poetic parallel: fiction imitating life, and life stepping in to support fiction. Freddie Highmore, while not a parent in real life, has always brought an incredible sensitivity to Shaun’s character, and that continues as he portrays a man trying to be the best father he can be—even when the diapers get tricky.
For fans, this scene has already become a standout moment in Season 7. Not just because it shows Shaun’s vulnerability, but because it captures the joy, terror, and unpredictability of being a new parent. It’s raw. It’s awkward. And it’s beautifully real. In many ways, it encapsulates what The Good Doctor is all about—not perfection, but progress. Not dramatics, but honesty.
As the series continues its final stretch, viewers can expect more heartfelt, intimate moments like these. And who knows—maybe more behind-the-scenes surprises too. Because sometimes, even the most carefully planned episodes need a little help from real life to bring them to life. And in this case, all it took was one helpful parent and a perfectly timed diaper change to remind us just how human this show really is.
