ABC Picks Up 'The Good Doctor' for a Full Season

On Tuesday, after just two episodes of its new fall medical drama, ABC announced it will pick up “The Good Doctor”  for a full season.

The show tells the story of Dr. Shaun Murphy, played by neurotypical actor Freddie Highmore, a surgeon who is on the autism spectrum. Murphy also has savant syndrome — a rare condition characterized by an extraordinary ability, such as mathematics or, in Murphy’s case, medicine.

Speaking on a panel, the show’s executive producer, David Shore explained the steps the show took to portray autism. “We saw a lot of doctors, we consulted with people, we’ve got people on the spectrum who we’re working with,” Shore said, according to Deadline. “But he is a specific character, he’s not there to represent autism, he’s there to represent Dr. Shaun Murphy.”

According to Entertainment Weekly, “The Good Doctor” premiered to an audience of 16.9 viewers. The show has received mixed reviews within the autism community since it was first announced.

hey please dont watch the good doctor series it treats autism like its smth u can 'overcome' or 'just get over'

— ???????????? ???? 9 (@Iongviewing) September 26, 2017

the good doctor is a cool show but why is the only media representation of autism young attractive white males who are super genius

— avi????check pinned! (@avianarose) October 5, 2017

the good doctor is such a good show. the main character has autism and that makes me happy that their representing autism especially with a+

— (vi)olin (@violet_e_here) September 30, 2017

No but did you watch the good doctor? It explains a lot about autism and how people like me with autism think

— Destiny Dragonsong (@DDragonsong) September 30, 2017

As the dad to 2 smart kids on the autism spectrum I am actually kind of dreading The Good Doctor, about an autistic savant who's a surgeon.

— STEVE HUFF (@SteveHuff) September 22, 2017

“The Good Doctor” airs Mondays at 10 pm ET on ABC.