An actress with autism is set to take on a prominent role in a prime-time network drama.
Kayla Cromer, who is on the spectrum, will join ABC’s “The Good Doctor” for its final season.
The series focuses on the experiences of Dr. Shaun Murphy, a surgeon with autism. Cromer will play Charlene “Charlie” Lukaitis, a third-year medical student with autism. Charlie is excited to work with Murphy who she’s idolized since seeing a viral video of him saving a boy’s life.
While “The Good Doctor” delves into how the developmental disability affects Murphy, the show has been criticized for starring Freddie Highmore, an actor without autism, as Murphy.
Still, “The Good Doctor” has brought significant visibility to autism, with the show attracting more than 6 million viewers during its 2022-2023 season alone. And, a 2019 study found that watching even a single episode of the show yielded more accurate and positive knowledge about autism than a college lecture on the topic.
Cromer made history in 2020 when she starred in Freeform’s “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay.” With her role on the show, which ran two seasons, she became the first person on the spectrum to play a character with autism in a series regular role on American television.
“Words cannot express the overwhelming gratitude I feel as I take on the role of Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Lukaitis, on the ‘The Good Doctor.’ I love her and I know you will too!” Cromer posted recently. “It’s truly an honor to bring authentic representation to the show and viewers.”
The seventh and final season of “The Good Doctor” will premiere Feb. 20 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.