A poignant medical drama has captured the hearts of British viewers, surging up the Netflix charts and leaving audiences profoundly moved. The Good Doctor, starring Freddie Highmore, has rapidly ascended into the UK platform's Top 10 most-watched shows, overtaking popular titles like Emily in Paris.
An Emotional Triumph on Streaming
The series, which landed on Netflix for the first time recently, has proven to be a perfect match for the streaming giant's audience. The show follows Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, portrayed by Freddie Highmore. Across seven seasons, originally airing from 2017 to 2024, the drama charts Murphy's journey as he uses his extraordinary medical gifts at St. Bonaventure Hospital while navigating social complexities and scepticism from peers.
Social media has been flooded with emotional reactions from UK viewers who have discovered the show. One user, @CosmasOba, hailed it as the 'best medical drama' they had ever seen, while @Ucheyyy2 called it a 'massively underrated' gem and a brilliant New Year find. The series' powerful conclusion also drew praise, with @Chris_Breezy93 declaring it featured the 'best end of a series ever'.
Viewers React: 'It Broke Me'
The intensity of the drama has struck a deep chord. Viewer @PUJA9OKiddo admitted they could 'not stop crying', and @Patrick41_ labelled it a 'must watch'. Another fan, @minkookiepuff, simply stated that the series 'broke me' after they began streaming it on Netflix. This wave of positive sentiment has clearly propelled the show's chart success.
It's worth noting that the programme, adapted from a 2013 South Korean series of the same name, concluded its seven-season run on ABC in May 2024. While it has faced some critique over its storylines and depiction of autism, it has consistently maintained a loyal fanbase, which has now expanded dramatically on Netflix.
Chart Dominance and Streaming Context
The remarkable rise of The Good Doctor on Netflix UK follows the success of another major title. It comes hot on the heels of Harlan Coben's thriller Run Away, which recently soared to number one on the same chart. That series, starring James Nesbitt and Minnie Driver, has secured a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The enduring appeal of medical dramas on television, from classics like Grey's Anatomy and Scrubs to newer entries, is well-established. The genre's ability to blend high-stakes human stories with emotional depth continues to resonate, as evidenced by this latest streaming phenomenon.
The Good Doctor is available to stream now on Netflix in the UK.
