ABC’s medical drama, The Good Doctor, is one of its highest-rated TV shows that not
only boasts a diverse cast but also showcases the lead character with autism and savant
syndrome.
The drama series has been entertaining viewers for four seasons now, but it has also caused
heartbreaks by killing some of fans’ favorite characters or by simply letting them go.
Nicholas Gonzalez as Dr. Neil Melendez: The fourth season of the ABC’s hit premiered
in November 2020, but the absence of cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Neil Melendez hit fans hard as
he was an integral part of the cast from day one.
Viewers were excited to explore the burgeoning romance between Dr. Melendez and Dr. Claire
Brown throughout the third season after his break up with Dr. Audrey Lim.
Sadly, he died from major internal injuries after a massive earthquake hit San Jose, but
not before confessing his love to Dr. Claire in the season finale.
In an interview with TVLine, Nicholas Gonzalez, who played the character since the show’s
inception, said the decision to leave was purely creative and there was no controversy
whatsoever regarding his exit.
He explained further saying, “There’s a lot about this job that I loved and was
honored to do, and a lot of that came out of the family that we created behind the scenes.
But there also comes a time when you feel it's time to move on, and I feel like I'm
leaving The Good Doctor at a really great place."
Following his exit from the drama series, he guest-starred in two episodes of Undone
and also worked on a television film entitled Playing Cupid.
He will next be sharing screen space with Lucy Hale in an upcoming survival thriller
“Borrego”.
Chuku Modu as Dr. Jared Kalu: Fans were left distraught when Chuku Modu, who played another
major character, left the show in its second season.
Dr. Jared Kalu became a fan favorite when he was introduced as an original character
in the pilot episode.
Fans were invested in his journey when he had a tumultuous year as a resident after
being fired from St. Bonaventure hospital for beating up a staff member.
He managed to get his job back by blackmailing the hospital but was out of the picture by
the end of the first season.
The actor didn’t reveal the exact reason for quitting the show but gave an emotional
goodbye to his character on Instagram after his departure back in 2018.
“Nothing but love love love love love, I’m filled,” he wrote alongside a photo of his
character.
“If only you knew the good vibes and energy that’s in constant motion when the cameras
aren’t rolling.
Thank you all for teaching me more than you will ever know.
Thanks for the love my peoples, on to the next one.”
Modu’s fans rejoiced when he was cast in the Marvel movie Captain Marvel, portraying
the role of Soh-Larr.
He then accepted a major role in the science-fiction drama series The Hundred, where he played
the role of Dr. Gabriel Santiago.
Beau Garrett as Jessica Preston: Beau Garrette who essayed the role of hospital attorney
Jessica Preston became the second series regular after Chuku Modu to quit the hit show.
Her surprise exit was announced before the premiere of the second season.
However, unlike other actors who left the show, Garrette reprised her role in the medical
drama’s two-part Season 4 premiere - more than two years after her abrupt departure.
Fans loved her portrayal of a woman who was constantly fighting against the stereotype
of being the granddaughter of the hospital’s founder.
Besides having a romantic relationship with Dr. Melendez, her connection with Dr. Glassman
was also highlighted on the show since she was friends with his late daughter.
Her Good Doctor return came in the immediate aftermath of the shocking death of Dr. Neil
in the season finale of the third season.
In February 2021, Garrett played one of the main roles in the Netflix series Firefly Lane.
Tamlyn Tomita as Allegra Aoki: Tamlyn Tomita starred as Allegra Aoki, the chairman and
vice president of the foundation which runs St. Bonaventure Hospital.
She was only a guest star in the first two seasons but had a more prominent role in Season
3.
However, fans were left dismayed when her name was vacated from the part before its
fourth season.
Since leaving the TV program, she has guest-starred in numerous shows including The Man in the
High Castle, and DuckTales.
The American-Japanese actress became more famous thanks to her stint in the hugely popular
and acclaimed Netflix original Kobra Kai in 2021.
She reprised her role as Kumiko for two episodes in the third season of the show which is a
spin-off from the classic movie franchise The Karate Kid.
Jasika Nicole as Dr. Carly Lever: Dr. Carly Lever was introduced as a major character
in the third season of the show after guest-starring in its first two seasons.
Jasika Nicole played the pathologist who became an integral part of the narrative after forging
a romantic relationship with the protagonist Dr. Shaun Murphy.
However, her role was cut short when Dr. Shaun confessed to still having feelings for Lia
Dilallo, and her character didn’t have a huge storyline in the final weeks of the season.
The actress didn’t hold back when an enthusiastic fan questioned her character’s exit as a
series regular.
“Unfortunately I wasn’t asked to return to the show next season,” She confessed
that the situation was very disappointing.
“I was used as a prop to push forward the other white characters’ narratives.”
However, she later stated that she never felt misled by the show’s creators because she
didn’t think they purposely cut off her role as a series regular after just one season.
In recent years, she can be seen in TV shows like Station 19 and Trash Truck.
The actress will soon appear in a comedy series called “Punky Brewster.”
We cannot wait to see what the former stars of The Good Doctor have in store for us in
the upcoming days.