The Good Doctor, starring Freddie Highmore and Antonia Thomas, tells the story of an autistic surgeon and his astonishing story. Dr. Shaun Murphy, played by Highmore, is an up and coming surgeon; he’s meant to be an unexpected hero to his fellow doctors due to his savant syndrome and autism. This show stands out because it’s doing something many producing companies are hesitant to talk about- mental disabilities.

There has always been some type of unsaid ‘correctness’ behind portrayal of autistic characters. Writers strive to be as realistic as possible, but often miss the mark. The danger of it is really just leaning towards typical stereotypes and not living up to it’s expectations of properly representing those on the spectrum.

The Good Doctor, on the other hand, does a phenomenal job of navigating this slippery slope. Highmore does a good job of fully captivating how autism affects the afflicted, rather than how it affects those around the afflicted. He properly demonstrates the social awkwardness, fidgeting, and lack of eye contact, while still being courteous to the disability.

One of the highlights of 2018 is the inclusion of those who lack the “normality” society has placed on humans. There are now many different outlets that are representing people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and those with varying body types, but you don’t see much media showing the world of mental disabilities. That’s why The Good Doctor is so revolutionary; it showcases how those with disabilities can succeed despite the set backs.