The acclaimed medical drama The Good Doctor has found a massive new audience on Netflix, rapidly ascending the streaming service's Top 10 chart in the UK and overtaking popular titles like Emily in Paris. The series, which concluded after seven seasons in May 2024, stars Freddie Highmore as the brilliant but socially challenged surgical resident, Dr. Shaun Murphy.
The Question of Real-Life Inspiration
A central question for many viewers is whether the character of Shaun Murphy, who has autism and savant syndrome, was directly inspired by a real person. The definitive answer from the show's creators is no. Shaun Murphy is not based on any single individual.
Instead, the character was crafted through extensive research. Show creator David Shore explained in an interview with TV Line that the team watched numerous documentaries and, crucially, consulted with people on the autism spectrum. Shore emphasised that Shaun is a very specific character, created not to represent all autistic people, but to tell his own unique story.
Navigating a Delicate Portrayal
The series has received mixed reviews, with particular scrutiny on its depiction of autism. Some critics took issue with storylines, while others praised Highmore's dedicated performance. The show aimed to walk a fine line, as highlighted by autism advocate Kerry Magro in a review for Autism Speaks.
Magro, who is autistic, noted the challenge of avoiding 'inspiration porn' while creating programming meaningful to the autism community. He concluded that The Good Doctor does a fine job of navigating this razor's edge, with Highmore successfully portraying several characteristics that can accompany an autism diagnosis.
The narrative often focuses on Shaun's core struggle: his exceptional medical skill contrasted with his difficulties in communication and social cues. Shore pointed out that a key dramatic tension comes from Shaun being right about a diagnosis but failing to communicate it effectively, leading to professional consequences.
A Satisfying Conclusion for Cast and Fans
The show was renewed for a seventh and final season in April 2023, which aired from February 2024. Freddie Highmore expressed satisfaction with the series conclusion in an interview with Parade, stating he loved how the finale brought things full circle.
He highlighted a particularly moving scene where Shaun returns to the same boardroom from the pilot episode, this time for a poignant conversation with Dr. Glassman and Lea. For fans old and new, all seven seasons of this thought-provoking drama are now available to stream on Netflix.
