232808
231186

BC  

Hopeful for dark times

The hero of "The Good Doctor," a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, represents the show's title in more ways than one.

Dr. Shaun Murphy is exceptionally skilled at curing patients, but he's also morally good, able to see the light in others even if he can't always connect.

The optimistic character is also having a positive effect on English actor Freddie Highmore, who previously played killer Norman Bates on "Bates Motel."

"As a Brit, I'm probably quite cynical in general," said the 26-year-old with a laugh during a recent interview on the show's set in Metro Vancouver.

"I think he's a lovely person to get to inhabit. Getting to portray that version of the world that he sees or he believes in, his faith in humanity, I think is great, especially at a time like today when there's so much negativity."

Through Murphy and other doctors at the fictional San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital, the series explores what it means to be a good person. It's a hopeful remedy for a dark news cycle, and that might be one reason why it became a runaway hit last year, cast members said.

The drama from David Shore, the Canadian creator of "House," returns to CTV Monday at 10 p.m. The second season finds Murphy grappling with the aftermath of a surgical mistake and facing the brain-cancer diagnosis of his mentor, Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff).

Highmore wrote the season premiere and though it's his writing debut on "The Good Doctor," he previously picked up script credits on "Bates Motel."

Since the show's popular debut, it has moved into a larger set with a vast operating theatre, patient rooms, a nurse's station and long hallways that allow for lengthy walk-and-talk scenes.



More BC News



229228