In a surprising twist that has left fans reeling, ABC’s beloved medical drama The Good Doctor will officially end its run after seven seasons. Dr. Shaun Murphy’s journey captivated millions with his unique approach to medicine, intellect, and determination despite challenges related to autism. However, despite the show’s longstanding success and a dedicated fanbase, the network decided to cancel The Good Doctor, leaving viewers wondering what led to this abrupt ending. The latest, season 7 of the show, premiered earlier this year in February 2024 and concluded in May. However, while fans were expecting a renewal for season 8, that was not forthcoming.
Multiple factors contributed to the show’s cancellation, including changing network priorities, the impact of recent industry strikes, and the growing challenges in scripted television. As production concludes, fans will get a final opportunity to watch Shaun and the team at San Jose St. Bonaventure, bringing this iconic medical drama to an emotional close.
Changing Industry Priorities and Financial Constraints
A key factor in The Good Doctor’s cancellation was ABC’s shift in priorities, partially driven by financial limitations and the increasing demand for unscripted content, according to Forbes. With the rising popularity of reality shows such as The Golden Bachelor, ABC found that these programs attracted large audiences at a significantly lower production cost than scripted series like The Good Doctor. These unscripted shows provide the network with a high return on investment and require a smaller budget, making them more appealing as the network looks to reduce costs.
Additionally, broadcast networks have faced declining ratings across the board, with many long-standing shows experiencing lower viewer numbers. The Good Doctor, while consistently popular, showed a decrease in viewership over recent seasons. For instance, Season 6 averaged 6.24 million viewers, a drop from the 7.05 million in Season 5, according to Nielsen ratings. This decline made it harder to justify maintaining a show with significant production costs. As newer shows and acquisitions—such as 9-1-1, which ABC recently picked up from FOX—joined the lineup, it became apparent that space for high-cost, lower-performing scripted series would continue to shrink. These factors collectively pushed The Good Doctor toward cancellation, despite its once-stellar ratings and strong fanbase.
Impact of the Hollywood Strikes on Scripted TV
The recent SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes caused a major disruption in the television industry, influencing networks to make sudden decisions regarding show renewals and cancellations. With scripted shows requiring extensive creative input, the strikes delayed many productions, including The Good Doctor. Although the Hollywood strikes have since been resolved, the hiatus they caused led to re-evaluations of production costs and feasibility for many scripted shows, pushing networks to favor cheaper, more predictable programming options.
For The Good Doctor, the strikes shortened the latest seventh season, resulting in only ten episodes instead of the typical 18-22. This reduced episode count not only limited the time available to resolve the storyline but also affected the show’s profitability, further motivating the network to end the series. Additionally, the strikes indirectly led to the cancellation of The Good Doctor’s highly anticipated spinoff, The Good Lawyer, which was set to star Felicity Huffman and Kennedy McMann. The spinoff’s cancellation added another layer of disappointment for fans and a sense that the world of The Good Doctor was coming to an unceremonious close.
Struggles Against Competing Shows and Viewer Trends
While The Good Doctor was once a top-performing series, it struggled to maintain its competitive edge in an increasingly saturated market. The show had to compete with long-standing successes like Grey’s Anatomy and Chicago Fire, which have maintained steady viewership and remain financially viable due to strong international distribution and high demand. In contrast, The Good Doctor experienced waning viewership over recent seasons as audience tastes shifted, and the series faced growing challenges in retaining a solid fanbase.
ABC’s decision to cancel The Good Doctor aligns with a larger trend where networks are cutting down scripted content in favor of reliable reality TV and co-productions that cost less to produce. Despite its remarkable impact and critical acclaim, The Good Doctor became a casualty of this new era of television programming, where scripted dramas, unless consistently profitable, struggle to secure long-term viability.
A Legacy to Remember
Despite the disappointment surrounding its cancellation, The Good Doctor leaves behind an enduring legacy. Led by Freddie Highmore’s brilliant portrayal of Dr. Shaun Murphy, the show was celebrated for shedding light on the complexities of autism and neurodiversity, inspiring audiences worldwide. Highmore expressed deep gratitude for his time on the show, describing it as one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. Producers David Shore and Liz Feldman also acknowledged the show’s positive impact, noting how it brought crucial conversations about inclusivity and empathy to mainstream television.
While it’s difficult to say goodbye, The Good Doctor will be remembered for its heartfelt storytelling, talented cast, and dedication to portraying meaningful narratives. The show’s departure signals a changing landscape in television, but its legacy will endure in the hearts of fans long after the final episode airs.
