Actor Freddie Highmore is so good on 'The Good Doctor' that enthusiasts are convinced he's autistic IRL. Here's how he makes his performance so believable.
Viewers of The Good Doctor may well be forgiven for questioning whether actor Freddie Highmore has an autism spectrum disorder in actual lifestyles. Along with having a resounding American accent, the talented British famous person additionally gives an excessively authentic-feeling portrayal of lots of the mannerisms, vocal patterns, and behaviors of someone on the autism spectrum.
Article continues beneath advertisementHe owes a few of that believability to his talents, but additionally to an expert advisor, Dr. Melissa Reiner M.Ed, who ensured his character was once no longer a caricature.
Dr. Reiner is one of the most sensible specialists on autism through pediatric neurologists and developmental pediatricians on the remedy of autism-related behaviors and techniques educators and caregivers can empower people with autism. She says of the pilot episode, "the writers were able to integrate what they had gleaned from our discussions about the work I do, and there are myriad examples of instances when characters speaking with Shaun are utilizing ... declarative communication style so that Shaun is able to more productively and adeptly respond and interact with his partners in his world. That is exceptional to me, to see the work I do brought to life in the writing, and performance for this show."
The character, Dr. Shaun Murphy, is recognized with autism and savant syndrome, which is a very uncommon dual diagnosis. Between 1 in 10 and 1 in two hundred other people identified with autism even have savant syndrome, wherein they provide with enhanced features in reminiscence, calculation, or creative or musical abilities.
Article continues underneath commercialMany viewers who have autism or a family member with a dysfunction on the autism spectrum have noted that the show portrays the misunderstandings and performance issues Shaun faces in a believable way, similar to his struggles to show deference to a awesome when they are mistaken and issue selecting up on nonverbal cues like facial expressions and tone to notice sarcasm or disapproval.
Article continues below advertisementIt has additionally correctly portrayed some of the sensitivities many people with ASD face relating to stimuli like certain kind of lighting fixtures, noises, or textures. For example, Shaun struggles right through Season 2 Episode 10, "Quarantine," with a continual buzzing noise from a mild fixture breaking his focus and inducing sensory overload.
Though Freddie Highmore isn't autistic, the display does solid autistic actors.
The display has been criticized via some for casting a neurotypical person in the lead function, but the casting administrators have sought actors with ASD for visitor roles. In Season 2 Episode 13, "Xin," Dr. Murphy treats a affected person with autism. Her boyfriend, Javier, additionally has autism and is portrayed via actor Alex Plank, who has autism in actual lifestyles and is an suggest and activist for autism. He additionally based Wrong Planet, a web-based neighborhood for people with autism spectrum problems.
During the primary season, autistic actor Coby Bird portrays a affected person with autism. He has also seemed on the show Speechless.
The display's so popular, it is been renewed for Season 3.
This season has referred to as into query Shaun's future as a surgeon with the addition of new chief of surgical procedure Dr. Jackson Han (portrayed by way of Daniel Dae Kim, who advanced the American remake of the South Korean collection), but the future of the show itself is far much less unsure. ABC has renewed the series as of February 5, 2019. It will most likely go back in the fall, as it did for Season 2.
Watch The Good Doctor Mondays at 10 p.m. on ABC.
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