The Good Doctor (2017)
Everyone operates differently.
Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, relocates from a quiet country life to join a prestigious hospital's surgical unit. Unable to personally connect with those around him, Shaun uses his extraordinary medical gifts to save lives and challenge the skepticism of his colleagues.
| Type | TV series |
|---|---|
| First aired | 25 September 2017 |
| Status | Ended, last episode 21 May 2024 |
| Genre | Drama |
| Created by | David Shore |
| Starring | Freddie Highmore, Fiona Gubelmann and Will Yun Lee |
| Seasons | 7 seasons, 126 episodes |
| Episode length | about 43 min |
| Time to watch it all | about 90 hours |
| Rated | TV-14 |
| Scores | TMDB users 8.5/10 |
Where to watch The Good Doctor
The Good Doctor is streaming on Hulu ($18.99 a month) in the US. At ten hours a week, all of the series takes about 3 months of Hulu, or $56.97 at list price.
We check availability daily. Page last updated 30 September 2026. Prices are standard monthly plans and change often, so check with the service before you sign up.
What kind of watch this is
The Good Doctor is a drama that asks if a surgeon who cannot read social cues can still save a life. It runs 90 hours across 7 seasons, which is a significant commitment for a show about hospital politics. The series follows Shaun Murphy, a doctor with autism and savant syndrome, who relies on pattern recognition rather than bedside manner. It is for viewers who prefer their medical mysteries to solve themselves through data rather than dialogue. The tagline suggests everyone operates differently, which is true for the writing too.
What the critics said
Critics landed on a mixed verdict. Rotten Tomatoes shows 63% approval from 43 reviews, averaging 5.6 out of 10. Metacritic sits at 53, signaling mixed or average reception. The consensus notes that heavy-handed bedside manner undermines a solid lead performance. Yet potential shines through. Matt Webb Mitovich of TVLine called the pilot's DNA "great," seeing a thought-provoking hospital drama. James Poniewozik of The New York Times found it a "shameless" melodrama, though he praised the casting. Most reviewers credited Freddie Highmore’s performance as the central key, despite lukewarm overall reviews. The sentimentality might feel forced, but the acting earns its keep.
How it did with audiences
The series premiere pulled in 11.22 million viewers. That number made it the most watched Monday drama debut on ABC in 21 years, a gap that stretched back to Dangerous Minds. It also claimed the top spot in the 18-49 demographic for 8.5 years, beating out Castle. Add in DVR playback and the pilot reached 19.2 million people. TV Guide noted the October 9 episode drew 18.2 million viewers, edging past NCIS and The Big Bang Theory that week. In Canada, it was the most watched show during the 2020-2021 season.
What came next for the cast
Freddie Highmore came from child stardom, defining a generation in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Finding Neverland. The credits after 2017 list The Vault. One entry. The silence is loud.
Richard Schiff held a seat in the big leagues, from Se7en to Man of Steel. Then came Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The industry keeps its favorite weirdos on retainer.
Hill Harper moved between the grit of Homeland and the drama of Concussion. The Sun Is Also a Star followed. He has a habit of appearing exactly when the plot needs a moral anchor.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched The Good Doctor.
Sources
- The Good Doctor on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q29908604 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “The Good Doctor (American TV series)” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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