The Good Doctor was one of the biggest freshman series of the 2017-2018 TV season, delivering big ratings for ABC right out of the gate. The medical drama stars Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy, who struggles to find his place as a surgeon with autism and savant syndrome. The show never fails to deliver a heartwarming and/or heartbreaking moment per episode. Fortunately for fans, ABC has made the official decision for more of The Good Doctor. The series has been renewed for Season 2.
All things considered, The Good Doctor's renewal isn't all that surprising given its status as TV's top new drama from the latest season of primetime. Throughout its first season, The Good Doctor has become ABC's most-watched freshman series in no fewer than 13 years. Additionally, it delivers a time period ratings increase from the same slot last year that hits the triple digits. Thanks to The Good Doctor, ABC has experienced a 172% bump in total viewership and 162% in the key 18-49 age demographic. The 10 p.m. slot on ABC Mondays has been a big hit thanks to The Good Doctor, and the odds are pretty good that the show will stay in the same slot for Season 2.
Season 2 will air in the 2018-2019 TV season, so there's no reason to worry that hiatus will be longer than for the average broadcast network show. According to ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey, the show's "message of inclusiveness resonates with our viewers and is a hallmark of what we aim to accomplish here at ABC." Throw in the broken records and the buzz surrounding the series, and The Good Doctor could be around for quite a while.
Channing Dungey's statement that the inclusiveness of The Good Doctor is a positive point makes a lot of sense. The cast of the series is quite diverse, and episodes haven't shied away from exploring some of the ugliest sides of prejudice and stereotypes in modern culture. They also allow characters to rise above the ugliness in the name of medicine.
In The Good Doctor, Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) leaves behind his quiet life in the country to pursue a career in surgery at the prestigious St. Bonaventure hospital under the tutelage of his mentor, Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff). Although Shaun and Dr. Glassman end up on the outs in Season 1, their relationship has been a touching part of the series so far. The show also stars Antonia Thomas as Dr. Claire Brown, Nicholas Gonzalez as Dr. Neil Melendez, Chuku Modu as Dr. Jared Kalu, Beau Garrett as Jessica Preston, Hill Harper as Dr. Marcus Andrews, and Tamlyn Tomita as Allegra Aoki.
You can catch new episodes of The Good Doctor on Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. For more viewing options now and in the not-too-distant future, don't forget to take a look at our 2018 midseason TV premiere guide, our 2018 Netflix premiere schedule, and our 2018 Amazon Prime prime breakdown.
