The medical drama, which debuted on February 20th, will come to an end with its upcoming seventh season, ABC said on Thursday.
“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 posted 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.”
In a statement of his own, Highmore—who plays in addition to serving as executive producer—paid homage to his tenure on the beloved series.
“Playing Dr. Shaun Murphy has been an immense privilege and one of the most remarkable and rewarding experiences of my life,” he exclaimed. “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.”
“Thank you to Sony and ABC, and to everyone who has watched along at home. With love from Vancouver … tequila, stat!” he said in closing.
The 2013 ABC television series The Good Doctor centers on Highmore’s portrayal of Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young autistic surgeon employed at the fictional San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital.
In its six prior seasons, the medical drama has consistently performed well for the network. According to the site, the medical drama received an average of 6.24 million viewers in Nielsen’s seven-day ratings between 2022 and 2023 last year. Over the course of seven days, the network’s linear total grew by 30 to 40 percent only from the show’s streaming ratings.
Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, also praised the drama’s ABC run in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
He remarked, “The Good Doctor has captivated audiences, who have deeply connected with Dr. Shaun Murphy and the staff at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital, thanks to David Shore and Liz Friedman’s creative direction and performance.” “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.”
