ABC has announced that medical drama The Good Doctor has been renewed for a second season.
“The Good Doctor’s message of inclusiveness resonates with our viewers and is a hallmark of what we aim to accomplish here at ABC,” said Channing Dungey, president, ABC Entertainment. “This series has quickly joined the zeitgeist and broken records in the competitive television landscape. We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Shaun Murphy will be back for another season.”
The move comes as no surprise considering how strong the show’s ratings have been, as it’s handily won its time slot every week, improved its time period by 103% over last season, and built on its lead-in at a time when the 10:00 hour has become depressed over DVR penetration. Its success also comes at a time when ABC will be saying goodbye to mainstays Scandal and Once Upon a Time, so it’s been especially important toward the network’s ability to restock its schedule. The Good Doctor has also inspired ABC to focus its development more toward close-ended stories and shows with lighter tone, whereas its previous drama brand trended toward Scandal-ized serials built on twists and a darker tone.
Based on the 2013 South Korean series of the same name, The Good Doctor stars Freddie Highmore (Bates Motel) as Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome who relocates from Wyoming to California to work at the prestigious San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. The series follows the cases Shaun and his colleagues encounter, as well as Shaun’s attempts at adjusting to this new environment.
In addition to Highmore, The Good Doctor stars Antonia Thomas (Misfits), Nicholas Gonzalez (Sleepy Hollow), Beau Garrett (Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce), and Hill Harper (CSI: NY).
The Good Doctor airs Mondays at 10:00 on ABC.
