The Good Doctor: Watch Antonia Thomas' Tearful Goodbye Ahead of Season 5 | TVLine (2021)

Antonia Thomas could barely hold it together as she bid adieu to her Good Doctor family — and TVLine has exclusive video of her emotional farewell.

After four seasons as surgical resident Claire Browne, Thomas announced that she would depart the ABC medical drama. And in the June 7 finale, Dr. Browne accepted a position at the rural hospital in Guatemala where the St. Bonaventure team had just completed a life-changing mission. After she exchanged goodbyes with Shaun et al., Claire scrubbed in for her first procedure as lead surgeon (read post mortem).

The above video appears to have been filmed after Thomas shot her very last scene, as cast and crew gathered for her to say a few words.

“I feel so honored to have acted alongside you guys, and to call you guys my friends,” Thomas said, before giving special props to series lead Freddie Highmore. “Freddie [is] just possibly the best number one that anyone could ask for. The way you go about your day, just so gracious and focused and kind, along with your exceptional talent… I’m just so honored to have worked with you.

“I am going to miss you all dearly,” she continued. “This is so bittersweet for me to leave, but I will be back every now and then to say hello, and I wish you all the best on Season 5 and the seasons to come. Thank you so much for having me.”

As the crew offered Thomas a round of applause, Highmore wrapped his arms around his co-star and gave her a big hug.

Thomas’ goodbye speech is featured on The Good Doctor: Season 4 DVD, which is set for release on Tuesday, Aug. 31. In addition to the “Farewell to Antonia Thomas” featurette, the boxset includes all 20 episodes, along with deleted scenes and a blooper reel.

Season 5, meanwhile, premieres on Monday, Sept. 27 (at 10/9c), and will pick up some time after the events of the team’s Guatemala trip. In addition to Claire’s big decision, the two-part finale saw Shaun and Lea get engaged; Morgan and Park profess their love for each other; and local doc Mateo (new series regular Osvaldo Benavides) decide to return to the States to be with Dr. Lim… and to face a decades-old warrant for his arrest. We also found out that Andrews and his wife Isabel (last seen in Season 1, when she was portrayed by Marsha Thomason) had separated. (And lest we forget, prior to the finale, Glassman and Debbie called it quits.)

With Thomas out, the Season 5 cast will consist of returning series regulars Highmore, Christina Chang, Fiona Gubelmann, Hill Harper, Will Yun Lee, Richard Schiff and Paige Spara, and the recently promoted Benavides, Noah Galvin and Bria Samoné Henderson.
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Date: August 27, 2021

[subhashrout]

Am I the only one who is stunned at her switch of accent? What a great great artist she is.

[aby_lev]

So sad she's leaving, her character was growing, she was a deep and complex character and a wonderful actress. I hope she does more great things in the future!

[elnazd]

The way they hugged each other at the end... my heart breaks💔
To me Claire was the female lead character of the show, and now she's gone😔

[bumblebee-ddje]

I cried when Claire left and I cried when she came back for the weddings. She deserves the world.

[cuberpianist]

Freddie and claire. Most iconic and special duo

[MsAcousticGeek]

She was my fave character and she's such an amazing actor. Wherever she's happy, she deserves where she thinks she needs to be ☺️❤️❤️

[tonitiger]

Freddie your acting and character has restored my faith in people ... thank you for sharing your gift with us

[sahramahamud]

Her accent is just beautiful!! We will miss u Claire

[Rymar]

The show isn't gonna be the same without Claire

[karoledithbedoyamartinez]

They're friendship was the best in the show, i'm gonna miss Antonia so much, wishes for her in this new way 💙

[toniimead]

Its so crazy to hear British ppl talk in thier native tongue then see them act on screen

[ronamaedaga]

It's not fair! She's my favorite! 🥺 Just finished S4 and it's just so heartbreaking to not see her in the next season.

[wordswrittenbyme]

I'm gonna miss Claire so much. Especially with Shawn's wedding happening.

[KgothatsoNkomo]

My heart shattered at the end of season 4 when she left😭💔one of my favorite characters, such an amazing actor❤️❤️hope to see you soon, Dr Brown.

[sofiafreitas]

She was my favorite 😢 I'm gonna cry with her. She is perfect. Such a wonderful actress and I never thought I would relate so much with a TV show character 😍 I'm gonna miss her so much on season 5 😢 But all I wish is that she is proud of her cause the role she played in the good doctor could never be played by anyone else and she did such a good job with her 👏 look forward to see her on other shows. I can completely say she is my inspiration 😊

[wolf-xwpg]

Melendez and her :( is just sad watching those great actors leaving

[shaflasudan]

I really loved the whole team of Good Doctor ... especially the friendship between Dr. Claire and Dr. Shaun .
God bless you all

I think you can actually tell her sadness of leaving the show in the goodbye scene - it's so genuinely sad...

[manorama]

Dr. Brown and Dr. Shaun friendship was very lovely ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ you should try and get her back for the show for all the episodes ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[natarajkoduvayurrajappa]

Absolutely talented actress who has left her mark on many minds that watch the good doctor series...