“The Good Doctor” star Nichole Gonzalez recently shared why he thinks the new ABC series is connecting well with viewers.

While speaking with Entertainment Tonight, the actor said that “autism hits a lot of people” that’s why they tune in to the show. “The Good Doctor” is also one of the first shows in the country to tackle autism, next to the likes of Netflix’s “Atypical.”

According to Gonzalez, what makes the show and Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) so relatable is the fact that his autism is not written as a comic relief for the series. “This is a very heartfelt, very honest portrayal of one person who happens to be on the spectrum – not trying to represent everybody in any way – but a very beautiful, respectful representation,” he said.

Gonzalez also shared that a lot of people with autism have reached out to them to say just how “The Good Doctor” has impacted their lives. The series is just on its fifth week and already it has received a full season order.

Meanwhile, even though the series and Dr. Murphy is gaining a support and a huge following, the same cannot be said about Gonzalez’s character, Dr. Neil Melendez. He is working as Dr. Murphy’s superior, but he didn’t necessarily welcome him at St. Bonaventure Hospital with open arms.

“You have to understand what Melendez’s job is. He is the attending and his job is to reduce the unmeasurable, the unknown and eradicate that as much as he can from his surgeries. To him and many people around him, Shaun represents that unknown. He doesn’t know what he’s capable of. He doesn’t know what he’s been through. He doesn’t have the luxury to watch the flashbacks like the audience does and get an insight into his life and know what he’s about,” he explained.

But if Dr. Murphy is able to prove himself to Dr. Melendez, Gonzalez is confident his character could change his mind about the former. “There are no ulterior motives. He’s not a bad person or wants to be bad. He wants Shaun to be capable…” he said.

“The Good Doctor” Season 1 airs Mondays at 10 p.m. EDT on ABC.

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