Just ahead of its much-anticipated Season 8 premiere, The Good Doctor is enjoying an entirely new wave of success—this time, far beyond its home on network television. The ABC medical drama has officially broken several streaming records across the United States, Canada, and more than 70 international markets, thanks to its addition to platforms such as Hulu, Disney+, and even Netflix in select countries.

The show’s surge in streaming popularity has reignited interest among longtime fans while capturing the attention of entirely new audiences discovering Dr. Shaun Murphy’s story for the first time. This digital momentum could reshape the series’ future in surprising and hopeful ways.

A Global Hit: How The Good Doctor Found New Life Online

When The Good Doctor first premiered in 2017, few could have predicted its meteoric rise to global acclaim. While American network dramas often struggle to translate to international audiences, The Good Doctor defied the odds. Its emotionally resonant storytelling, universal themes, and singular protagonist allowed it to cross cultural boundaries with ease.

Today, the show is available in over 70 countries, making it one of the most widely streamed medical dramas in the world. From the Philippines to France, from Brazil to South Korea, the story of a gifted young surgeon navigating life on the autism spectrum has touched hearts across every continent.

The show’s streaming availability has opened the door for international audiences who may have missed its initial broadcast run. Now, with full access to all seven seasons, millions of viewers are binging the series, catching up just in time for what may be its final season.

The Freddie Highmore Effect

Central to the show’s popularity is the powerful and deeply human performance by Freddie Highmore, who plays Dr. Shaun Murphy. Highmore, who also serves as a producer, brings rare depth and sensitivity to the character—portraying Shaun’s brilliance, social challenges, and moral compass with authenticity and compassion.

His portrayal has garnered praise from both critics and viewers, particularly those within the autistic and neurodivergent communities, who often see themselves represented with dignity on screen through Shaun’s character.

What makes Highmore’s performance even more significant is his refusal to lean on stereotypes. Instead, he approaches Shaun as a fully realized person—not defined by his autism, but shaped by it. This commitment has made Shaun one of the most unique and beloved TV characters of the past decade.

Highmore’s global appeal also contributes to the show’s cross-market success. His previous roles in international projects like Bates Motel and Finding Neverland helped build a loyal fan base, but The Good Doctor has solidified his place as a global household name.

Binge Culture Meets Medical Drama

Streaming platforms have revolutionized how people consume television—and The Good Doctor is the perfect show for binge-watching. Each episode combines compelling medical cases with ongoing personal storylines, creating a satisfying blend of self-contained drama and long-term emotional investment.

This structure allows new viewers to get hooked quickly. The medical emergencies offer adrenaline-pumping tension, while the slower emotional arcs—such as Shaun’s relationship with Lea or Dr. Glassman’s mentorship—encourage viewers to keep clicking “Next Episode.”

The result? An explosion in streaming numbers, with The Good Doctor ranking among the top 10 most-binged dramas across multiple countries in early 2025.

Social Media Rebirth: A New Generation of Fans

With The Good Doctor’s streaming momentum at an all-time high, ABC and Sony Pictures Television may be rethinking the series’ long-term prospects. Although Season 8 has been widely rumored to be its last, recent success in digital markets could open the door for further seasons—or even a feature film continuation.

Showrunner David Shore previously stated that the creative team would only continue the story if they had something meaningful to say. But the unexpected surge in streaming numbers suggests that audiences still deeply care about these characters—and want more.

At the very least, the show’s renewed popularity could pave the way for spinoffs like The Good Lawyer, which already has an enthusiastic fan base thanks to its backdoor pilot in Season 6.

A Case Study in Emotional Storytelling

What sets The Good Doctor apart from other medical dramas isn’t just its lead character or emotional depth—it’s the show’s commitment to portraying both the technical excellence and emotional complexity of healthcare professionals. From tackling ethical dilemmas to exploring love, grief, and redemption, the show reminds us that hospitals are not just places of diagnosis and treatment—they’re places where lives are changed forever.

Each episode is a meditation on what it means to be human. In an era of disposable content, The Good Doctor offers a slower, more thoughtful experience—one that values growth, empathy, and connection.