People Are Finally Recognizing Freddie Highmore's Incredible Talent

Photo credit: IMDb
Photo credit: IMDb

From Country Living

The Good Doctor has helped Freddie Highmore finally earn a much-deserved Golden Globe nomination. You might know the actor as Norman Bates or August Rush (or maybe Charlie Bucket?), but his latest role as Dr. Shaun Murphy on the season's No. 1 show is arguably his best yet.

Audiences around the country are raving about ABC's breakout hit, which has become the most-watched series across all TV, a title previously held by CBS' The Big Bang Theory. The show even earned higher ratings than season one of NBC's competing drama series This Is Us (!). With its inspiring storyline and incredibly talented lead, it's easy to understand why.

The Good Doctor follows Highmore's character, an autistic surgeon with savant syndrome, who, despite the board's skepticism, has joined the pediatric surgical unit at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. Many of his fellow doctors doubt Murphy's ability to save lives because he struggles to connect with people on a personal level. But his extraordinary medical skills prove him to be an exceptional young doctor, not in spite of, but because of his differences.

Fans attribute The Good Doctor's success largely to its heartwarming lead character. Dr. Murphy provides audiences with an escape from reality-something we can all use in today's increasingly dark news cycle.

"I think it's [Shaun's] hopefulness…and his positivity, his desire to always see the good in people, that makes him attractive," Highmore told The Hollywood Reporter. "People want to root for someone like that in the times in which we're living."

If you're still not convinced, we think you'll shed any doubts (and probably a few tears) by watching the trailer below.

(h/t The Hollywood Reporter)

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