Medical dramas have become a staple of primetime television. Each new series that emerges does so with a unique angle to draw audiences in, keeping the same core elements of medical mystery and shocking twists at its foundation. The Good Doctor, though only in its fifth season, has already fallen prey to a common downside of dramatic medical television despite featuring a unique main character: It keeps losing major cast members such as Chuku Modu and Antonia Thomas.
Developed by David Shore and based on a Korean series, The Good Doctor follows a medical resident with autism working to navigate the complex world around him as he also learns to save lives. Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) meets and works closely with a team of doctors in the St. Bonaventure surgical department, including Thomas' character Dr. Claire Browne. Claire displayed just as much character growth as Shaun through heartbreak and triumph, saddening fans when she left. Here's what Thomas, who played Claire through the end of Season 4, said about her departure -- and whether or not she plans on returning.
Who Was Claire Browne on The Good Doctor?
Claire was introduced in the first season of The Good Doctor. She was a surgical resident doing her best to thrive in an extremely competitive, high-stress environment. With how difficult things were for her, she was sympathetic to Shaun's enhanced challenges in caring for patients. While his neuro-divergence made him an especially skilled surgeon, he often needed extra help navigating the emotional hurdles of working in the medical field. She became one of his greatest allies at the hospital and -- eventually one of his closest friends.
By the end of Season 4, Shaun often turned to Claire for advice and she willingly helped him through various challenges in both his professional and personal life. Her departure came as a shock to The Good Doctor fans, especially since her final episodes showed her at the top of her game on all fronts. Personally she had overcome the loss of Dr. Melendez and her mother while reconciling with her father. Professionally, she successfully led a major surgery and went to extreme measures to save her patient's life. That impressive feat, however, led to a job offer and Claire accepted a position in Guatemala.
Why Antonia Thomas Left The Good Doctor
It turns out Claire and the actor playing her both had good reasons to say goodbye to the series. Thomas explained to Deadline that her decision to leave came from her background working in British television. "I’ve come from the British system where you play a role, you film it for a couple of months because seasons are only six episodes long, and then you can do something else," she said. "I think after dedicating four years to Claire and her journey and really, really exploring the character, I am just now ready to try something new, ultimately."
Thomas did express interest in reprising her role in a guest spot at some point down the road, clarifying how much she loved playing Claire. "[David Shore and I] had a call after the end of the third season," she added, "and I started airing my feelings that I have loved exploring Claire and would love to explore Claire for another season, but after that, how would he feel about bringing the character to a close. He was very wonderful and gracious and helpful... I’ve had conversations with Freddie [Highmore] about coming back, and absolutely, yes." So far Claire has yet to return -- but perhaps, like Addison on Grey's Anatomy, she's found her happy ending in a different place.
Season 5 of The Good Doctor is now streaming on Hulu.