The Good Doctor was one of the most buzzworthy new shows of the 2017-2018 TV season, and it delivered consistently solid ratings throughout its first season on ABC. Unsurprisingly, the show was renewed for a second season, and fans can look forward to seeing the big cancer cliffhanger paid off in the fall. Now, a House alum has signed on to play a part in the cancer arc. Lisa Edelstein joins The Good Doctor for Season 2.
Lisa Edelstein is best known on the small screen for her role as Dr. Lisa Cuddy on Fox's House. After seven years on that medical drama, she certainly knows her way around a TV hospital, which should make her a good fit for The Good Doctor. Deadline reports that Edelstein will tackle the role of Dr. Blaize, an expert oncologist who nonetheless was suspended from her work at St. Bonaventure for a time. She returns to the hospital after Dr. Glassman requests her help in treating his cancer.
Despite coming back at his request, Dr. Blaize is perfectly willing to hold her own against him. She calls the shots when it comes to treating cancer. Knowing Dr. Glassman from the entire first season, fans can probably guess that he's not going to take very well to another doctor controlling his health.
Luckily, Lisa Edelstein isn't just dropping in for an episode or two before taking off again. She is on board in a recurring capacity and will appear in several episodes of the second season. She'll make her debut as Dr. Blaize in the Season 2 premiere. Interestingly, Edelstein joining the cast of The Good Doctor will provide a reunion with another House alum, although not somebody who shared scenes with her in front of the camera. The Good Doctor creator and executive producer David Shore also created and executive produced House.
The addition of Lisa Edelstein as Dr. Blaize is only one of several changes to the cast for the second season. The biggest cast change has to be the departure of original cast member Chuku Modu, who was a series regular as a surgical resident in the first season. His character got himself in a big mess with the St. Bonaventure brass after he punched a doctor who sexually harassed his girlfriend and fellow surgical resident, and the season ended with him landing a job in Colorado. Season 2 will presumably reveal that he took that job.
The other big changes to the cast will result in characters turning up more frequently, not less. Paige Spara, Will Yun Lee, Fiona Gubelmann, and Christina Chang were all promoted to regular status. Season 2 could look very different than Season 1, although we can bet that Shaun will be back despite his potential firing at the end of the first season finale.
The Good Doctor will return to Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC in the fall. For more of what to expect, check out ABC's fall schedule. If you need some shows to watch in the meantime, take a look at our summer TV premiere guide.
