“Captivating” medical drama branded “ultimate comfort TV” lands new UK streaming home at Netflix

Hey everyone, great news if you’re in the UK and love The Good Doctor! It’s just landed on a new streaming service, so I can finally binge-watch Freddie Highmore saving lives again. Super excited!

The popular show, which ran from 2017 to 2024, will be streaming on Netflix in the UK starting January 1, 2026.

Freddie Highmore plays Dr. Shaun Murphy, a brilliant young surgeon with autism. The show follows Shaun as he starts his career at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital in California, and also explores his life growing up.

What to Read Next

The show stars Paige Spara as Lea Diallo, alongside Antonia Thomas as Dr. Claire Browne, Will Yun Lee as Dr. Alex Park, and Christina Chang as Dr. Audrey Lim.

Critics have given The Good Doctor a mixed reception, and the first season currently holds a 63% rating based on 43 reviews.

Despite finding the plots fairly predictable, New York Magazine/Vulture praised the show as the perfect feel-good viewing experience.

Someone described The Good Doctor as a surprisingly enjoyable show, even though it follows familiar TV patterns and doesn’t always feel realistic. They believe it’s the perfect comforting watch and want to share why they love it.

In a review of the first season, RogerEbert.com noted the show has potential and features an attractive cast, but felt it started off feeling somewhat predictable.

Viewers on IMDb generally responded positively to The Good Doctor, with many calling it both heartwarming and different from other shows.

Viewers are praising the series as beautifully written and incredibly engaging. One called it “easy to love,” while another highlighted how each episode uniquely captures and holds your attention.

The show’s depiction of autism has sparked debate. Some viewers and critics felt the initial portrayal of the character Shaun relied too heavily on common autism traits, essentially ticking off a list. Others believe it has the potential to increase awareness and acceptance of neurodiversity.

The series went on to run for seven seasons, with its finale airing in May 2024.

The Good Doctor starts streaming on Netflix UK on 1 January 2026.

Love watching TV over Christmas? The Good Housekeeping Christmas TV Guide has you covered! It includes 14 days of listings and everything you need for a perfect festive viewing experience. It’s available now for just £4.75 at Morrisons, TG Jones, and other magazine retailers.

Read More

2025-12-19 00:19