ABC retires ‘The Good Doctor’ after 7 seasons

Dr. Shaun Murphy is cancelling his appointments and retiring from San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. ABC announced that its veteran hospital drama “The Good Doctor,” starring Freddie Highmore, will end after its upcoming seventh season, which premieres Feb. 20. “Thanks to David Shore and Liz Friedman’s creative direction and anchored by Freddie Highmore’s performance, ‘The Good Doctor’ has captivated audiences, who have deeply connected with Dr.

Shaun Murphy and the staff at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital,” said Craig Erwich, president, Disney Television Group. “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.” The series, which premiered in 2017, was adapted from a Korean hit and was developed by David Shore.

Highmore stars as the brilliant, autistic with savant syndrome surgeon Dr. Shaun Murphy, who eventually fell in love with his next door neighbor, Lea (Paige Spara). They were engaged in Season 5 and, in the Season 6 finale, she gave birth to their son, Steven, named after Shaun’s late brother/mentor.

The series co stars Richard Schiff, Fiona Gubelmann, Chuko Mudo — whose character, Dr. Jared Kalu, left and then returned in Season 6 — Hill Harper , Christina Chang and Will Yun Lee. “Playing Dr. Shaun Murphy has been an immense privilege and one of the most remarkable and rewarding experiences of my life,” Highmore said in statement.

“I will always be grateful to David, Liz, and [producer] Erin [Gunn] 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!” The series has never been nominated for an Emmy, but Highmore was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2018 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama.

The series has been a consistent performer for ABC and, last season, averaged 6.2 million viewers on Monday nights. A potential spinoff, “The Good Lawyer,” did not make it to the air. “The Good Doctor” is the latest veteran series to call it quits, including “Young Sheldon,” “Station 19,” “Bob Hearts Abishola,” “SWAT,” “La Brea” and “Magnum, P.I.”.