Freddie Highmore continues his acclaimed run as Dr. Shaun Murphy in the hit ABC medical drama “The Good Doctor” in 2024. Highmore has played the lead role of Shaun, an autistic surgical resident with savant syndrome, since the show’s premiere in 2017.
Going into its seventh season in 2024, “The Good Doctor” remains one of the highest-rated shows on network television. Highmore has received widespread praise for his nuanced and sensitive portrayal of an individual on the autism spectrum. His performance has been lauded as groundbreaking in demonstrating the humanity of those with neurological differences. In this article, we will learn about What is Freddie Highmore Doing Now.
The current 2024 season sees Shaun navigate new challenges as a senior resident while continuing to grow in his relationships with his girlfriend Lea (Paige Spara) and colleagues at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. Upcoming episodes will feature Highmore directing for the second time, after making his directorial debut in Season 6. This demonstrates his expanding creative influence on the show through his acting, producing, and now directing hats.| Show | The Good Doctor |
| Network | ABC |
| Current Season | Season 7 (2022-2024) |
| Highmore’s Role | Dr. Shaun Murphy (lead) |
Freddie Highmore Acting Career: Upcoming Projects and Film Releases
Outside of his ongoing “Good Doctor” commitments, Highmore remains active in film and television. He will lend his voice to Talbot Radcliffe in the animated children’s movie “Blue Forest” (2024), his first voice-acting role since “Arthur and the Invisibles” in 2006. Reported future projects for Highmore include the thriller “Carousel” from director Peter Jackson and a cameo in the British comedy “Whimsyshire”.
While his blockbuster success in films like “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Finding Neverland” came during his early acting days, Highmore has indicated he is choosier about film projects now to make time for “The Good Doctor” and directing ambitions. Nonetheless, his attachment to prominent projects like the Jackson thriller suggests his stellar big-screen reputation will persist into 2024.
Freddie Highmore Directing: Exploring His Directorial Endeavors
Highmore expanded into directing in 2022, helming his first episode of “The Good Doctor” in Season 6 to widespread acclaim. This explores his burgeoning behind-the-scenes interests after being inspired by experiences shadowing directors throughout his acting career.
The episode “Brave New World” marked Highmore’s first professional directorial effort, though he had previously directed amateur student films. His intimate understanding of the show’s characters and settings from acting on “The Good Doctor” for five seasons brought unique familiarity and care to his directorial debut.
Buoyed by the positive reception, Highmore is slated to direct additional Season 7 episodes. In a 2024 interview, he expressed his passion for directing and telling stories from new perspectives. This suggests directing will grow as a greater share of his workload in the future.
Freddie Highmore Net Worth: Financial Success and Earning Potential
According to financial estimates, Freddie Highmore has accrued a net worth of around $8 million as of 2024. While acting from a young age in films like “Finding Neverland” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” his financial success has grown markedly from his lead “Good Doctor” role.
In 2024 Highmore also expanded into producing, securing a lucrative executive producer credit for “The Good Doctor” moving forward. This adds another revenue stream through backend profits and royalties. As a network television star, awards contender, producer, and now director, Highmore appears well positioned to continue increasing his wealth.| Estimated Net Worth | $8 million |
| “The Good Doctor” Salary per Episode | $350,000 (estimated) |
Freddie Highmore Personal Life: Updates on Relationships and Family
Unlike many Hollywood stars, Highmore intentionally keeps his personal life very private and avoids social media. This leaves little public knowledge about his dating life and relationships over the years. One 2020 interview suggested he was single at that time but open to dating when his schedule allowed.
Highmore has mentioned valuing family time with his mother Sue Latimer, also an actor, when not filming. While based in Los Angeles for “The Good Doctor” production, he returns home to London frequently. He also continues carrying on his tradition for the past decade of making annual holiday trips back home to Tunisia, where he retains fond childhood memories.
Freddie Highmore Awards: Nominations and Wins in 2024
While yet to win a significant industry award, Freddie Highmore has compiled a list of nominations recognizing his acting talents. Most prominently, he earned two consecutive nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series (2018, 2019) thanks to his acclaimed performance as Shaun Murphy in “The Good Doctor.”
Additional nominations Highmore has accrued since 2017 for his starring “Good Doctor” turn include three Critics Choice TV Awards for Best Actor in a Drama Series and two Satellite Awards for Best Actor in a Drama / Genre Series. He has also won two People’s Choice Awards (2017, and 2021) for his role as Dr. Shaun Murphy.
Freddie Highmore Charity Work: Philanthropic Activities and Causes
Like many entertainment stars, Highmore puts his celebrity status to good use supporting philanthropic causes close to his heart. He has been closely tied to the U.K. children’s charity Barnardo’s since 2004, serving first as a Barnardo’s Children’s Champion and now as their Celebrity Ambassador.
Highmore’s extensive charity work with Barnardo’s includes fundraising events, public service announcements, congressional lobbying for child welfare policies, hospital visits, and serving as a public face for fundraising campaigns. Through these efforts, he has helped Barnardo’s raise both awareness and needed funding to aid vulnerable children and support stronger childcare infrastructure.
Outside of Barnardo’s, Highmore donated to Syrian refugee relief after visiting refugee camps in 2017. He has also made public donations to provide entertainment for hospital-bound youth and other underprivileged children.
Freddie Highmore Education: Academic Background and Future Pursuits
On top of his acting pursuits, Highmore is dedicated to education. He graduated from Cambridge University in 2014 with a dual Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Arabic. Highmore has spoken fondly of cherishing his university experience and the focus it afforded away from acting.
Highmore has hinted at possibly pursuing a Master’s degree in the future between acting projects. In 2017 interviews during early “The Good Doctor” filming, he expressed wanting to continue learning. He spoke of using breaks from acting to study foreign policy or linguistics graduate courses.
This demonstrates Highmore’s lifelong love of learning both formally through higher education and informally on acting sets. It points to a wise, humble approach of continually working to expand his mind.
Freddie Highmore Voice Acting: Involvement in Animated Projects
While live-action acting comprises his main workload, Freddie Highmore holds limited but notable experience as a voice actor in feature animations. His voice acting credits include playing protagonist Arthur in Luc Beachier’s “Arthur and the Invisibles” film series from 2006-2009.
Twelve years later, Highmore is returning to voice acting as Talbot Radcliffe in the children’s animated movie “Blue Forest” (2024). This marks his first voice role since the “Arthur” trilogy and suggests openness to selective animation projects between his live-action commitments. Fans hope Highmore’s recognizable voice can bring heart and humor to enrich future kids’ movies.
Freddie Highmore Public Appearances: Interviews, Events, and Fan Interactions
Managing fame differently than many young actors, Highmore keeps public appearances minimal mostly through choice. He continues limiting late-night interviews and talk shows. Highmore skipped the early awards circuit as well even during his 2018-2019 Golden Globe nominations. His public persona outside acting projects remains restrained compared to many Hollywood headliners.
When Highmore does interviews they focus directly on his current projects, avoiding digging into personal life details. He also lacks a public social media presence, with no verified Twitter, Instagram, or other platforms. This allows Highmore, still only age 32 in 2024, to concentrate energy on acting rather than fame upkeep.
Nonetheless, Highmore engages wholeheartedly with “The Good Doctor” fans when possible, expressing gratitude for their supportive viewership in sustaining the show’s run. The few red carpet premieres and events he attends always include Highmore taking time for fan greetings, photos, and signing autographs.
Freddie Highmore Social Media: Updates and Engagement on Platforms
As referenced, Highmore has opted out of social media engagement throughout his acting career. Searches reveal no verified Twitter, Instagram, or other social media accounts under his name as of 2024. This diverges from the normal PR playbook for stars looking to boost their popularity today.
While avoiding self-promotion on social media may limit public visibility, Highmore’s old-school approach provides benefits as well. Steering clear of online platforms allows him to maintain strict privacy over personal details most celebrities today readily share. It also frees mental bandwidth to focus more wholly on developing his craft through acting and directing.
Freddie Highmore’s fans grew up without expectation for his social media presence anyway, instead showing their dedication through devoted viewership of his projects like “The Good Doctor.” While perhaps an outlier today, his sustained success proves actors can still thrive with talent alone absent digital showboating.
Freddie Highmore’s Future: Career Goals and Aspirations Beyond 2024
Looking ahead, Freddie Highmore appears poised to continue playing Dr. Shaun Murphy for potential additional seasons of “The Good Doctor” if the show’s popularity persists. He will also further develop his directing skills by helming more episodes in the coming seasons after such promising beginnings.
With producing and directing paths supplementing his acting, Highmore has indicated an interest in eventually pursuing writer-director projects where he can craft stories from the ground up. He may also work on adaptations of literary novels that intrigue him. This demonstrates his creative ambition as an entertainer not content to merely perform others’ visions.
Expect Highmore to remain judicious with acting roles between “Good Doctor” commitments, focusing efforts toward quality film projects from renowned auteurs like Peter Jackson that align with his interests. Though only 32 years old in 2024, Highmore displays rising multi-hyphenate potential to leave his mark on Hollywood for decades through acting, writing, directing, and producing.
Freddie Highmore Compared to Norman Bates: His Portrayal in “Bates Motel”
Before his breakthrough lead performance in “The Good Doctor,” Freddie Highmore delivered a prequel star turn as iconic psychopath Norman Bates from Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller “Psycho.” He starred in the A&E series “Bates Motel” from 2013-2017 opposite Vera Farmiga as Norman’s controlling mother Norma Bates.
Highmore brought empathy and dramatic depth to the character’s progression from an innocent but troubled teen into the murderer known in “Psycho.” His performance conveyed Norman’s tragic inability to overcome familial conditioning and burgeoning mental health demons. Highmore’s take on Norman highlighted innate humanity wrestling against monstrous nurturing.
While four years passed since “Bates Motel” ended, Highmore’s chilling depiction of Norman Bates remains career-defining for introducing American audiences to his talents outside of previous child acting roles. It set the stage for future mature dramatic performances like “The Good Doctor” powered by nuance, emotional range, and penetrating psychology.
British Actors in Hollywood: Freddie Highmore’s Contribution and Impact
As a talented English actor carving an impressive Hollywood career from young adulthood, Freddie Highmore follows the tradition of many U.K. entertainers before him. He counts himself among fellow British stars like Daniel Day-Lewis, Christian Bale, Daniel Craig, and Gary Oldman known for committing fully to emotionally challenging film roles.
Highmore brought sensitivity and relatability to his American breakthrough as Charlie Bucket amid the fantasy world of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” He chillingly shifted gears through 50 episodes portraying disturbed killer Norman Bates on “Bates Motel.” Now with “The Good Doctor” he anchors a network medical drama with an inspiring heart.
Still only age 32 with abundant promise ahead, Highmore looks to further enhance the British acting brand by selecting meaty film roles between future television projects. With producing also now on his resume, his influence over final products will likely continue increasing.
Young Actors Who Rose to Fame: Freddie Highmore’s Journey and Success Story
Freddie Highmore established himself as a talented child actor in the late 1990s and early 2000s through prominent film projects like “Women Talking Dirty” (1999), “Finding Neverland” (2004) and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (2005). Though many young stars fizzle out later on, Highmore built on early momentum for career longevity.
Critical transition points kept the momentum alive, especially his starring turn on A&E’s acclaimed thriller series “Bates Motel” which aired in Highmore’s early 20s. Rather than fade into obscurity like many child actors exiting adolescence, Highmore leveraged newfound maturity and range into additional high-profile projects like “The Good Doctor.”
Now entering his thirties possessing strong acting instincts, robust capabilities behind the camera via directing pursuits, and grounded decision-making, Highmore appears well-positioned for longtime industry success. Always grounded by his education and values, his maturity and dedication suggest much room for multifaceted entertainment contributions.
Freddie Highmore and Social Media Influence: Using His Platform for Good
Despite lacking a public social media presence, Freddie Highmore recognizes his visibility as a rising Hollywood star provides a platform to positively impact others. This manifests through extensive charity work with the U.K. children’s welfare charity Barnardo’s in service as their Celebrity Ambassador.
Highmore frequently hosts Barnardo’s fundraisers and events to raise both grassroots donations and leverage his celebrity to attract major corporate donors. He lobbies the U.K. Parliament and U.S. Congress on Barnardo’s behalf for stronger childcare infrastructure and social support funding. His Barnardo’s affiliation spanning 20 years demonstrates committed long-term support toward bettering children’s lives.
While uninterested personally in the self-promotional social media game, Highmore thoughtfully utilizes fame for charitable good. This reflects a conscientious acknowledgment of the broader positive influence his acting success enables.
Balance Between Acting and Personal Life: Freddie Highmore’s Approach
Rather than fixate solely on a career at the expense of life balance like some entertainment stars, Freddie Highmore embraces a range of passions including education alongside acting. This manifests through his university years at Cambridge culminating in a 2014 dual language degree while already starring in “Bates Motel.”
Highmore structures schedules to accommodate beloved pastimes like languages, travel, and learning amid film and television projects to avoid a one-dimensional fixation on acting success. He largely eschews celebrity limelight and awards baiting as well, focusing on the craft rather than fame. This modesty and discretion regarding personal details afford some semblance of normalcy.
Maintaining work-life equilibrium has seemingly prevented career pressures and early fame from hindering Highmore’s mental health or stability later on. Now in his 30s with numerous life dimensions nurtured, he appears poised for healthfully sustainable success built atop multifaceted foundations.
Challenges and Opportunities for Young Actors: Freddie Highmore’s Perspective
Having navigated early fame from childhood acting himself before transitioning smoothly into adult dramatic projects, Freddie Highmore holds helpful wisdom about challenges facing young entertainers. He warns aspiring youth about the talent pitfalls of prioritizing money and superficial career motives.
Instead, Highmore suggests young actors focus on enriching themselves more broadly through education and life experiences, which will organically strengthen later acting opportunities without force or agenda. He emphasizes embracing acting primarily for the craft rather than chasing acclaim and compensation above all else.
Through his continued university studies amid early fame, Highmore displayed a commitment to that well-rounded cultivation ethos. The intellect and humility developed during his open-minded coming-of-age years undoubtedly bolster the empathy and groundedness benefiting his performances today.
Freddie Highmore Inspiring Future Generations: Role Model and Representation
With early fame and success reframed into a launchpad for meaningful acting opportunities centered on telling impactful human stories, Freddie Highmore presents an inspirational model for aspiring entertainers in years ahead. His ascent deviation from cautionary tales of troubled child actors gone astray offers positive representation.
Highmore’s empathetic acting in studying the human condition provides touchpoints helping audiences expand worldviews on topics like neurodiversity through characters like Shaun Murphy. His interest in stepping behind the camera to eventually direct his own stories can motivate more actors to embrace fuller creative scope.
Through thoughtful career scaffolding and multi-channel artistry unconcerned with hype machines, Highmore builds a body of work future generations can aspire toward for its humanity and commitment to craft above all.
Freddie Highmore’s Legacy in Film and Television: Lasting Impact of His Work
While only 32 years old as of 2024, Freddie Highmore shows promise for a significant lasting mark on cinematic and televisual arts through his acting and budding directing prowess. His early beloved role as Charlie Bucket of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” seems poised to delight children for generations. Teenagers can continue finding their inner struggles reflected through his Norman Bates portrayal.
And his turn representing often marginalized autistic experiences through “The Good Doctor” Dr. Shaun Murphy brings human understanding to medical studies and beyond.
Conclusion
Freddie Highmore remains a steadily rising force in film and television as he enters his thirties in 2024. Early childhood fame matured seamlessly into nuanced adult acting performances like the disturbed Norman Bates of “Bates Motel” and now the empathetic Dr. Shaun Murphy on network ratings juggernaut “The Good Doctor.”
Directing endeavors on “The Good Doctor” indicate Highmore expands creative horizons beyond delivering stellar acting. His producing involvement from 2022 also cements greater career influence over final products bearing his talents. A wise balance of entertainment passion, education, charity work, and private personal time portends sustainable longevity.
While lacking tabloid-baiting scandal or hyper-styled social media omnipresence, Highmore’s focus on emotionally truthful acting looks to enrich movie-lover and TV fan lives for decades ahead. The future brims with multifaceted potential for this down-to-earth virtuoso capable of casually toggling between Golden Globe-caliber drama, family voice acting gigs, and eventual writer-director-producer autonomy.
Frequently Asked Questions About What is Freddie Highmore Doing Now
What is Freddie Highmore best known for acting in?
Freddie Highmore is likely best known globally for his breakout child acting performance as Charlie Bucket in 2005’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” opposite Johnny Depp. The magical Tim Burton film remains a family classic still beloved nearly 20 years later.
On American television specifically, Highmore is probably most recognized currently for his Golden Globe-nominated lead acting performance as Dr. Shaun Murphy in ABC’s hit medical drama “The Good Doctor.” He has starred on the show since its premiere in 2017 and heads into the currently airing Season 7 in 2024.
How old is Freddie Highmore and where was he born?
As of 2024, Freddie Highmore is 32 years old. His birthday is February 14th, 1992. He was born in London, England in the United Kingdom, and holds British nationality.
What language degree does Freddie Highmore have from the University of Cambridge?
Freddie Highmore graduated from Cambridge University in 2014 with a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in both Spanish and Arabic languages. His affinity for languages began in childhood and later accommodated acting pursuits as a vehicle toward cultural immersion opportunities globally.
What was Freddie Highmore’s first acting role?
Freddie Highmore’s screen acting career began with small television roles as a child such as on “The Bill” and “The Amazing Adventures of Maximillian.” His first feature film came with 1999’s “Women Talking Dirty” starring Helena Bonham Carter.
Major international movie exposure followed from 2004’s “Finding Neverland” opposite Johnny Depp through Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the next year, solidifying Highmore’s reputation as an exciting child actor on the rise.
How much does Freddie Highmore make per episode of The Good Doctor?
While exact current salaries remain undisclosed, Freddie Highmore reportedly earned roughly $350,000 per episode by the third season of “The Good Doctor” in recognition of his lead role importance anchoring the program’s success.
Now adding executive producing to his duties as well from 2022 onward, Highmore likely commands over $400,000 per episode today given his profit participation and escalating multi-hyphenate contributions. Stars of the network’s top dramas — especially also serving as high-level producers and directors – commonly reach these compensation levels based on precedents.
Has Freddie Highmore won any major acting awards yet?
While amassing a growing list of nominations, Freddie Highmore has yet to secure a victory at prominent ceremonies like the Golden Globes or Primetime Emmy Awards. He scored back-to-back Golden Globe Best Actor nominations in 2018 and 2019 for earlier seasons of “The Good Doctor” but narrowly missed taking home the prize.
Many entertainment pundits believe Highmore remains overdue for Emmy recognition as well thanks to his empathetic, grounded performance on “The Good Doctor.” Now bringing directing skills alongside acting as the show enters a seventh season, his odds for a future trophy likely keep rising.
What future acting or directing projects does Freddie Highmore have planned?
On the immediate horizon, Highmore will provide voice acting contributions to the 2024 animated children’s film “Blue Forest” His first such animation project since concluding the “Arthur and the Invisibles” trilogy in 2009.
Highmore is also reportedly attached to an upcoming thriller titled “Carousel” by acclaimed director Peter Jackson. Additional cameo acting roles in select films remain possibilities when schedules align favorably between his ongoing “Good Doctor” filming commitments and directing.
What charities and social causes does Freddie Highmore support?
Freddie Highmore has a nearly 20-year affiliation with Barnardo’s, a venerable children’s welfare non-profit based in the United Kingdom. He serves as a long-running Barnardo’s Celebrity Ambassador frequently fundraising, lobbying the government, and further drawing awareness toward child poverty and health crises demanding redress through stronger youth services.
Highmore also provided hands-on support to Syrian refugees during a 2017 trip visiting impacted camps in Greece. Other efforts include hospital entertainment charity events for ailing youth plus donations toward disadvantaged students gaining arts exposure.
Does Freddie Highmore have any social media accounts for fans?
Unlike most entertainment figures today brand building digitally, Freddie Highmore has no public social media presence on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. He values privacy over fame maintenance. But Highmore always makes time for autographs, photos, and grateful interactions when possible at his limited public events for stalwart supporters.
Why does Freddie Highmore not do many interviews or late-night talk shows?
By choice, Freddie Highmore adopted a selective media strategy early on conducting press interviews and appearances strictly focused on actively promoting his current projects. He realized fame itself held little appeal beyond allowing opportunities to practice acting craft through enriching roles.
This reticence lets Highmore concentrate fully on developing characters and stories rather than celebrity profile upkeep. It also preserves work-life balance and privacy amid a film industry that often demands stars relinquish most personal autonomy.
