It is never too early to make your appointment with The Good Doctor, which is returning for a highly anticipated season 5; after several major cliffhangers, well-loved characters leaving, and several major surprises in store. Fingers crossed this isn’t the final season for the hit ABC medical drama.
Over the past four seasons, we have been following the medical career and personal life of Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore), a brilliant and extremely quirky character with autism and savant syndrome, who is also an accomplished surgeon. Shaun faces social challenges from his autism, that are offset by his gifts that include his photographic memory and high intelligence.
Shaun is a true underdog; someone who we all enjoy rooting for because despite his inability to connect with colleagues and loved ones, he helps us believe that despite our own difficulties, we will find a way to come out on the other side.
We were delighted that Shaun and his first crush Lea Dilallo (Paige Spara) developed a serious relationship, which is far more difficult for him than the complicated surgical procedures he performs with his colleagues at St. Bonaventure Hospital.
While producer/showrunner David Shore provided a roller coaster of drama in the 20 episodes of season 4, a highlight came in the show’s finale when Lea proposed to Shaun. Coming to terms with their intense grief after Lea’s miscarriage, they realized they had an unbreakable bond. Fans are hopeful that their wedding will be an integral part of season 5.
On the flip side, in the two-part season 4 finale, we learned that original cast member and fan favorite Antonia Thomas (Dr. Claire Brown) would not be returning for season 5.
Read on for everything we know so far about season 5 of The Good Doctor.
Related: The Good Doctor Makes a Tough Call in This Deleted Scene
When does The Good Doctor season 5 premiere?
If you’re like us and impatiently waiting for The Good Doctor to return, the wait is almost over! Season 5 of The Good Doctor premieres Monday, Sept. 27 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.
Who is in The Good Doctor cast for season 5?
Freddie Highmore
Freddie Highmore plays the good doctor! He returns as Dr. Shaun Murphy, a brilliant young surgeon whose autism makes it difficult for him to foster relationships with his colleagues and patients; yet despite his difficulties he works through friendships, professional relationships and allows himself to fall in love.
Hill Harper
Hill Harper plays Dr. Marcus Andrews, an attending plastic surgeon and board member at the prestigious St. Bonaventure Hospital. He first serves as the head of the surgical department and later as hospital president when Dr. Glassman steps down to fight brain cancer. Dr. Andrews is one of many doctors who have gone to bat for Dr. Murphy. He continues to provide emotional support to Shaun and Lea.
Richard Schiff
Richard Schiff is Dr. Aaron Glassman, Dr. Murphy’s friend, mentor and father figure. He put his job as hospital president on the line for Dr. Murphy, beat brain cancer (after extensive treatment), navigated a rocky personal relationship with his wife, Debbie (played by his real-life actress-wife, Sheila Kelly) and is back working as a surgeon at St. Bonaventure and supporting Dr. Murphy.
Christina Chang
Christina Chang returns as Dr. Audrey Lim, the chief of surgery and an attending trauma surgeon.
Paige Spara
Paige Spara is Lea Dilallo, Shaun’s free-spirited friend, former roommate and first love. She truly understands Dr. Murphy–quirks and all. The two rekindled their romance in a major way and experienced the joys of impending parenthood and the profound loss when she suffered a miscarriage. The ensuing grief, and the different ways that Lea and Shaun handled it, threatened their future as a couple in season 4.
Fiona Gubelmann
Fiona Gubelmann is Dr. Morgan Reznick, an outspoken and competitive young medical resident who works closely with Dr. Murphy. Despite her own medical difficulties, she’s finding her own footing, both personally and professionally.
Will Yun Lee
Will Yun Lee plays Dr. Alex Park, a surgeon who shows his many layers as a loving father who now realizes he put his career before his family and now wants to redeem himself.
Noah Galvin
Noah Galvin (Dr. Asher Wolke) plays a dedicated doctor, formerly part of an Orthodox Jewish sect, who decided to separate himself from his devout beliefs before going to medical school. Galvin is best known for Booksmart and The Real O’Neals.
Bria Samone Henderson
Bria Samone Henderson (Dr. Jordan Allen), best known for her role in Mrs. America, is a faithful Baptist and caring doctor who finds strength in her daily prayer.
Osvaldo Benavides
Osvaldo Benavides (Dr. Mateo Rendón Osma) was introduced in Part 1 of the season 4 finale. Benavides is best known for his role as Andrés Carranza Dávila on the Netflix original series, Monarca, and currently stars as Rafael Contreras on Telemundo’s La suerte de Loli.
Who’s Leaving The Good Doctor in season 5?
Antonia Thomas
Antonia Thomas is leaving The Good Doctor after four seasons portraying Dr. Claire Browne. In the season 4 finale, a team from St. Bonaventure is on a surgical mission in Guatemala and Dr. Browne decides to stay with the medical team in the remote village and help the people there who are in need in a very different way.
“It was a really difficult decision, and leaving is a bittersweet thing for me because the last four years have been absolutely incredible,” Thomas told Deadline. “After dedicating four years to Claire and her journey and really, really exploring the character, I am just now ready to try something new, ultimately.”
Thomas indicated that she would love to return as a guest star in the future.
Related: The Good Doctor‘s Jasika Nicole on Carly and Shaun’s Breakup and Ending ‘Awful Stereotypes’ About Autism
Who are the new cast members for The Good Doctor season 5?
The Good Doctor is adding three new series regulars for season 5: Noah Galvin, Bria Samone Henderson and Osvaldo Benavides.
Recurring guest stars Galvin (Dr. Asher Wolke) and Henderson (Dr. Jordan Allen) are recurring guest stars who are being upped to series regulars for season 5. Osvaldo Benavides (Dr. Mateo Rendón Osma) was introduced in the season 4 finale. The network announced his addition as a regular cast member after it was confirmed that Thomas was leaving the series.
Related: The Good Doctor‘s Christina Chang on the Autism Storyline, Patient Care and Not Playing Politics
Related: The Good Doctor Is In! Here’s What You Need to Know About Season 4
What happened in season 4 of The Good Doctor?
Season 4 began with the hospital being hit by a cyberattack that threatens to shut down life-saving machines. Lea rises to the challenge by looking to outsmart the hackers. Meanwhile, the team treats an inspirational cancer survivor-turned-successful philanthropist who harbors a dark secret, in the premiere episode directed by Highmore.
Former rivals, Dr. Morgan Reznick (Fiona Gubelmann) and Dr. Alex Park (Will Yun Lee) began to bond in season 4, especially after they become roommates when he decides his marriage is finally over. While originally concerned about becoming romantic, the season 4 finale set the stage for the two to seriously date. Another storyline that could be picked up in the new season is the PTSD being suffered by Dr. Lim (Christina Chang), after months of watching her patients die from maladies compounded by the pandemic.
Much of season 4 focused on Shaun and his relationship with girlfriend, Lea, her pregnancy, miscarriage and its implications on their relationship. The season ended with a team from St. Bonaventure traveling on a medical mission to Guatemala.
While in Guatemala, Dr. Lim makes a significant connection with a man at the hospital, Dr. Mateo Rendón Osma (Osvaldo Benavides), leaving the door open for a possible romance.
The show’s fans are very excited to see where things go with Lim, Osma, and other characters, and especially if there is a wedding in store for Lea and Dr. Shaun. Stay tuned for this and more…
Is The Good Doctor canceled?
We hope The Good Doctor isn’t ending, but there have been rumors that The Good Doctor will be canceled after season 5. At this point, they’re just rumors, but we’ll keep this space updated with any new information.
How many seasons of The Good Doctor are there?
The Good Doctor premiered Sept. 25, 2017. Four seasons have aired. Season 5 premieres Monday, Sept. 27.
How many episodes of The Good Doctor have been made?
Seasons 1-2 had 18 episodes each and seasons 3-4 consisted of 20 episodes each for a total of 76 episodes of The Good Doctor.
Where is The Good Doctor filmed?
The Good Doctor is filmed in and around Vancouver, British Columbia. Surrey City Hall in Surrey British Colombia serves as the exterior for St. Bonaventure Hospital.
What time does The Good Doctor come on?
The Good Doctor season 5 comes back on Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.
What night is The Good Doctor on?
The Good Doctor airs on Monday nights on ABC.
What channel is The Good Doctor on?
The Good Doctor airs on Mondays on ABC.
How to watch The Good Doctor season 5
You can watch The Good Doctor on ABC on Mondays at 10 p.m. ET.
How to watch The Good Doctor online
Seasons 1-4 are available to stream on Hulu. Seasons 1-4 are also available to buy—by the episodes or season— on Amazon’s Prime Video.
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