When The Good Doctor premiered in 2017, it quickly became a ratings hit, captivating audiences with the story of Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism. Across its seven seasons, the ABC medical drama purported to offer a groundbreaking portrayal of an autistic individual navigating the complexities of hospital life and personal relationships. However, as the series concludes, it’s crucial to critically examine how The Good Doctor seasons have represented autism and the impact this portrayal has had.
From the outset, concerns were raised about the authenticity of Shaun Murphy’s character. While Freddie Highmore delivered a compelling performance, the character, crafted without openly autistic writers or cast members in the early seasons, often felt like a collection of stereotypes rather than a nuanced individual. For many in the autistic community, including autistic culture writers, Shaun’s depiction resonated more with non-autistic anxieties and misunderstandings about autism than with lived experience. This led to a sense of alienation, as viewers lauded characters like Dr. Murphy and Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, while often overlooking or misunderstanding autistic individuals in real life.
KAYLA CROMER, CHUKU MODU, FREDDIE HIGHMORE, CHRISTINA CHANG
One recurring criticism throughout The Good Doctor seasons was the show’s reliance on outdated and harmful tropes. Shaun’s behaviors and reactions were frequently presented in ways that reinforced stereotypical views of autism, often prioritizing dramatic effect over genuine representation. For instance, the infamous meltdown scene that circulated online sparked backlash, not just for its portrayal of autistic distress, but also for its exploitation of such moments for non-autistic audiences. Even well-intentioned viewers sometimes missed the mark, believing the show was educational and fostering empathy, while simultaneously perpetuating simplified and inaccurate understandings of autism. The line between mocking The Good Doctor‘s portrayal and mocking autistic traits themselves often became blurred, highlighting the show’s failure to consistently center authentic autistic experiences.
Furthermore, The Good Doctor seasons occasionally stumbled into problematic storylines that further undermined its representation. One particularly jarring example was Shaun’s display of transphobia towards a patient, which the show seemed to attribute to his autism. This not only reinforced harmful stereotypes but also ignored the reality that autistic individuals are disproportionately likely to be transgender or nonbinary. An autistic doctor in Shaun’s position would likely have a greater understanding and awareness of trans issues, making the scene feel contrived and insensitive. Such instances demonstrated a lack of depth in understanding the intersectionality of identities and the autistic experience.
In its final season, The Good Doctor took a step towards more authentic representation by introducing Kayla Cromer, an autistic actor, as Dr. Charlie Lukaitis, an autistic medical student inspired by Shaun. This addition offered a glimmer of hope for improved portrayal and the opportunity to explore the diversity within the autistic spectrum. Having two autistic characters as regulars could have allowed for a richer exploration of autistic experiences, showcasing both shared understandings and individual differences. While some moments between Shaun and Charlie hinted at this potential, demonstrating both conflict and camaraderie unique to autistic interactions, these moments were often overshadowed by continued reliance on familiar, non-autistic perspectives.
WILL YUN LEE, WAVYY JONEZ, FIONA GUBELMANN, CHRISTINA CHANG, ELFINA LUK, CHUKU MODU, BRIA SAMONÉ HENDERSON, ANTONIA THOMAS, PAIGE SPARA
Even in its concluding episodes, The Good Doctor seasons missed opportunities for deeper, more meaningful representation. A storyline involving Shaun’s concerns about his infant son being tested for autism echoed common anxieties among non-autistic parents, rather than the complex perspectives of autistic parents navigating similar situations. Similarly, Shaun’s reaction to a mentor’s terminal illness, while realistically showing his focus on work, lacked a nuanced exploration of autistic grief, a deeply misunderstood emotional experience. The series finale, culminating in Shaun’s TED Talk where he is lauded in a somewhat patronizing manner, unfortunately reinforced the idea of autistic individuals as objects of inspiration for non-autistic audiences rather than complex individuals with their own stories to tell.
As The Good Doctor seasons come to an end, it marks the close of an era in network television where autistic-coded characters were often utilized for entertainment and “awareness” without genuine autistic input or understanding. However, the landscape of autistic representation is evolving. Shows like Heartbreak High, A Kind of Spark, and Dinosaur offer more authentic and nuanced portrayals, created with autistic voices at the forefront. While The Good Doctor may have opened doors for conversations about autism on television, the future of representation lies in prioritizing authentic autistic stories, created by and for autistic people. With a significant autistic population eager to see themselves reflected on screen, and a wealth of diverse autistic talent ready to contribute, there is immense potential for richer, more meaningful portrayals in the seasons to come on television and streaming platforms.
