After six successful seasons, ABC’s medical drama The Good Doctor, featuring Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy, is set to conclude with its seventh season in February 2024. Despite being a consistent ratings winner for ABC, the decision to end the series has left many viewers wondering, “Why is The Good Doctor ending?” While the show maintained its position as the number one series in its Monday 10 p.m. timeslot among adults 18-49, a closer look reveals potential factors contributing to this conclusion.
Declining Viewership Figures
While The Good Doctor remained a strong performer for ABC, viewership numbers experienced a noticeable decrease in the later seasons. Season 6 averaged 6.24 million viewers, a drop from Season 5’s average of 7.05 million, according to Nielsen’s seven-day ratings. This decline, although not drastic, could signal a natural audience attrition that often affects long-running series. In the competitive landscape of television, networks continually assess the cost-effectiveness of shows, and viewership trends play a crucial role in renewal decisions.
Creative Decision and Timing
Executive producers David Shore, Liz Feldman, and Erin Gunn indicated that the end of Season 7 felt like the right time to conclude the story. In a joint statement, they expressed pride in their work and emphasized the desire to give the fans and the cast a deserving series finale. This suggests a creative decision to wrap up Dr. Shaun Murphy’s journey and the storylines of the San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital team, ensuring the show ends on a high note rather than extending it beyond its natural narrative arc. Sometimes, concluding a series at a well-chosen point can be seen as a way to preserve its legacy and artistic integrity.
Broader Network Strategy and Cancellations
The cancellation of The Good Doctor is part of a wider trend of network television adjustments. In the same period, ABC also canceled the planned spinoff The Good Lawyer and The Rookie: Feds. Other major networks have also axed long-running and popular series, indicating a potential shift in programming strategies, budget allocations, or a desire to introduce fresh content. The conclusion of The Good Doctor, therefore, may reflect broader strategic decisions within ABC and the television industry as a whole, rather than solely being about the show’s performance in isolation.
Freddie Highmore’s Sentiments
Freddie Highmore, who has been central to the show’s success, described playing Dr. Shaun Murphy as an “immense privilege” and a “remarkable and rewarding experience.” His heartfelt statement acknowledged the collaborative effort of the cast, writers, and crew, suggesting a sense of closure and gratitude as the series concludes. While not explicitly stating a reason for the ending, his words convey a sense of acceptance and readiness to move on, both for himself and the show as a whole.
In conclusion, the ending of The Good Doctor appears to be a confluence of factors, including a natural decline in viewership, a creative decision to conclude the narrative, and broader network strategies. While fans may be disappointed to see the show end, they can look forward to a final season premiering on February 20, 2024, at 10:00 p.m. EST on ABC, which promises to provide a satisfying conclusion to Dr. Shaun Murphy’s story.
