By: Jose Cruz Berber
Hundreds of The Good Doctor fans made their way to the Dolby Theater on Thursday, March 22, 2018 in Hollywood, CA for PaleyFest for an advanced viewing of the first episode of Season 2 of The Good Doctor and a Q&A session between the moderator, cast, and audience.
HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 22: Cast and creatives of The Good Doctor arrive at PaleyFest LA 2018 honoring The Good Doctor, presented by The Paley Center for Media, at the DOLBY THEATER on March 22, 2018 in Hollywood, California. © Brian To for the Paley Center
If you haven’t tuned in and watched The Good Doctor, Season 2 may just the thing to get you hooked. Tired of the same reoccurring medical drama? This may be the show that flips that notion on its head!
The cast confirmed that this season is one of many surprises and emotions that they don’t want audiences to miss!
Writing & Character Development at the Forefront of The Good Doctor
The cast readily highlighted the shows commitment to strong, innovative narrative development and credited David Shore, The Good Doctor’s primary writer as the individual who continuously works to elevate the shows storyline. Daniel Dae Kim, an executive producer on The Good Doctor, stressed that the show refuses to be drawn into normalcy, where the complexity of Freddie Highmore’s character, Dr. Shaun Murphy leads other characters to respond in ways that deviate from the expected.
Nicholas Gonzalez, who plays Dr. Neil Melendez on the show shared that the writing was the reason he committed to The Good Doctor during pilot season.
“I feel like I am in good hands and I am excited to know what is coming next, we are all diverse, complex characters.”
Why are Diverse Characters & Representation Important?
Shore and Dae Kim shared their unified goal in advocating for the inclusion of a diverse and talented individuals both in front and behind the camera. They credited the success of the show to their diverse team, producing an entertaining show at the highest caliber. Dae Kim has been tempted to jump into the show and make an appearance! Will we be seeing him next season? We will have to stay tuned to find out!
When asked about role that the show has played in popular culture as it relates to showcasing the experience of an individual living with autism, Highmore shared that the show aims to showcase autism but keep it grounded in the reality that each individual’s experience with autism is unique. Highmore stated that he hopes that the show raises awareness, but does so by showcasing Dr. Shaun Murphy as an individual who is intelligent, loving – and human.
HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 22: Cast and creatives of The Good Doctor attend PaleyFest LA 2018 honoring The Good Doctor, presented by The Paley Center for Media, at the DOLBY THEATER on March 22, 2018 in Hollywood, California. © Brian To for the Paley Center
Fans in the audience got the opportunity to ask the cast questions and when asked how the show worked to sensitively and accurately portray Shaun’s emotions around love and romantic relationships, the cast highlighted that Sean is a human being and will explore his feelings as he grows and evolves.
HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 22: Freddie Highmore, Nicholas Gonzalez, and Antonia Thomas attend PaleyFest LA 2018 honoring The Good Doctor, presented by The Paley Center for Media, at the DOLBY THEATRE on March 22, 2018 in Hollywood, California. © Michael Bulbenko for the Paley Center
Highmore shared that, “[Shaun] will always have autism but he can still grow and change, he is adapting and growing. Others are learning from him. Others are changing and adapting because of Shaun’s vision and point of view.”
Highmore also shared that both he and the writing team has worked diligently in gathering extensive research to best construct Dr. Shaun Murphy’s character. Both Highmore and Shore highlighted that that during casting, they shared a similar vision in relation to how Dr. Murphy would develop and focused on celebrating the distinct way he interacts with the world.
Season 2 Spoilers?
The cast was tight lipped in this department, but did confirm that season 2 will introduce new characters that will shape the trajectory of the season!
When asked if Claire and her experience with sexual harassment will be referenced in Season 2 – Shore indicated that although this storyline finds itself especially relevant within current social discourse, we will not see more of this in Season 2. Shore shared that Claire refused to be victimized and found her own agency as a resolution to this storyline.
The cast highlighted that Season 2 is one that will that will continue present Dr. Shaun Murphy as an individual who provides innovative solutions and insights to some of the most intricate medical phenomena – but will continue to evolve through his mistakes and unique perspective.
HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 22: Cast and creatives of The Good Doctor at PaleyFest LA 2018 honoring The Good Doctor, presented by The Paley Center for Media, at the DOLBY THEATRE on March 22, 2018 in Hollywood, California. © Michael Bulbenko for the Paley Center
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