Freddie Highmore returns to TV in The Assassin

Freddie Highmore has booked his first acting gig following the wrap The Good Doctor after its seven-season run on ABC.

After playing the lead role of Dr. Sean Murphy since 2017 in the medical drama, the British actor is now set to slip into the shoes of Edward, who just happens to be the son of a retired assassin named Julie (Keeley Hawes) in the upcoming Amazon Prime thriller The Assassin.

The story follows Julie as she’s now living a secluded life on a remote Greek island with her estranged son who is now seeking answers about his father and his mother’s past, according to TV Line.

But eventually, both find themselves in the crosshairs of danger when the former assassin’s past catches up with her, and the newfound mother-and-son duo end up on the run for their lives.

The shoot for the upcoming series, which was created by Harry and Jack Williams, only just started earlier in August in Greece.

Freddie Highmore, 32, is now set to return to TV in the Amazon Prime Video thriller The Assassin after wrapping on The Good Doctor in May after seven seasons on the ABC show

The six-episode series will show Edward as he’s trying to find the right time to speak to his mother about his paternity.

But then, just as the right moment finally presents itself, ‘things take a deadly turn as Julie’s dangerous past catches up with her, and they are forced to flee the island and go on the run together.’

Along with the two lead roles, the cast also features Gina Gershon, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Jack Davenport, Alan Dale, Gerald Kyd, Devon Terrell, Richard Dormer, and David Dencik. 

On top of starring in the lead roles, both Highmore and Hawes will also be serving double duty as executive producers with Sarah Hammond.

The London, England native became well-known child actor after starring in the acclaimed film Finding Neverland (2004) with Johnny Depp when he was 11-years-old, followed by Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005), Arthur And The Invisibles (2006), August Rush (2007), and The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008).

Unlike many other child actors, the London, England native, now 32, has made a name for himself as an adult, starring as Norman Bates in the drama-thriller series Bates Motel (2013-2017) before moving on to The Good Doctor (2017-2024). 

‘Playing Dr. Shaun Murphy has been an immense privilege and one of the most remarkable and rewarding experiences of my life,’ Highmore shared in a statement, as per The Hollywood Reporter. ‘I will always be grateful to David, Liz, and Erin as well as the hugely talented – and lovely – cast, writers, and crew who made this show possible,’ he went on.

After beginning her career in a number of literary adaptations, such as Our Mutual Friend (1998) and Tipping The Velvet (2002), Hawes rose to fame for her portrayal of Zoe Reynolds in the BBC series Spooks (2002-2004), and as DI Alex Drake in Ashes to Ashes (2008-2010). 

In The Assassin, Highmore will play Edward, the estranged son of a former assassin, Julie, who’s now living in Greece

Highmore became a bonafide child star when he played the role of Peter Llewelyn Davies in the acclaimed biographical film Finding Neverland (2004) with Johnny Depp

The Paddington, London, England native is also known for her roles in Line Of Duty (2014-2016), and the BBC One drama Bodyguard (2018).

In her latest film role, Hawes, 48, stars in the biographical drama film Scoop (2024) alongside Gillian Anderson, Billie Piper, and Rufus Sewell.

Harry and Jack Williams are English brothe
rs best known for their work as television screenwriters and producers, which includes The Missing (2014), its spinoff Baptiste.

After creating their own production company, Two Brothers Pictures in 2014 they developed and produced Fleabag (2016-2019), and then created Liar, Angela Black (2021) and The Tourist (2022).

So far, there’s no official word on when The Assassin will premiere on the Amazon Prime Video platform.