The Good Doctor: Antonia Thomas Returning as Claire — For How Long?
Dr. Claire Browne is paying a return visit to St. Bonaventure.
Former Good Doctor star Antonia Thomas is set to reprise her role in two Season 5 episodes airing later this spring, TVLine has learned.
After four years as surgical resident Dr. Browne, Thomas announced last June, just hours ahead of the Season 4 finale, that she would depart the ABC medical drama. “I think, ultimately, for me, it’s about coming to the point where I think we’ve really run the gamut of different things that Claire can have gone through,” Thomas told our sister site Deadline in June. “I’m now really excited to explore different creative opportunities.”
Despite her early departure, Thomas said she was open to reprising her role in future seasons. “Really for me, if there was more time in the year to be able to shoot the show and to be able to go off and do some of the other things that I’m wanting to explore now, I’d do both,” she explained. “It has not been an easy decision for me to leave, so I absolutely would love to come back every now and then and say hi… I’m very much looking forward to that.”
Likewise, executive producer David Shore told TVLine that “we would love to find places to bring her back. She’s such a part of this world, and will always be a part of this world, so it will be lovely to see [Claire] — for her to bring a story to us, or just to come in for the highlights of peoples’ lives.”
In the Season 4 finale, Claire 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., Dr. Browne scrubbed in for her first procedure as lead surgeon. You can watch Thomas’ previous farewell to the cast and crew below:
Are you excited to see Claire again? Hit the comments with your reactions to Thomas’ imminent return.
So those opportunities weren’t as fast and furious as she hoped?
She stated before if she had time to do this show and other stuff, she would. She filmed another show already, and still had time to stop by here too. Sounds like she’s getting exactly what she wanted.
Actually she has been working on a lot of projects. British actors are used to working much shorter seasons. That’s why we often see them in so many projects.
She is British, in case you didn’t know.
and i believe she also mentioned that with british shows this is the norm, that they apppear on a show for a set number of seasons and then leave of there own accord
Thanks no I did not know she was British
I’m glad, between Melendez in Season 3 and her Season 4…it felt like (I know she chose to leave but still felt like, imo, as a viewer) the show wanted to get rid of every character that was too interesting that they took screen time away from the Sean character.
I know he’s the lead and that’s not going to change but this show is best when it acts as an ensemble and not a starring vehicle with supporting players.
I’m very happy to hear that Antonia Thomas is coming back if only for 2 shows. I guess it’s better than nothing. I always loved Claire.
Glad to see Claire will be back on The Good Doctor. Love her.
Absolutely! She was one of the best parts of the show…contrasting with the mean and sarcastic whatzername….
Yess! Claire was great. A lot of compassion and sweetness one would love to see in real surgeons.
so waiting for return even for a little bit.
I stopped watching not long after she left.
Why did you stop watching?
I am very happy to see her comeback. She was a very important part of Shaun’s adjustment to life at St. Bonaventure. She is a tremendous actress and we, the viewers, will miss her so very much. She can convey so many emotions and thoughts just from her facial expressions.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻…YES!!!
I’m glad that she is coming back for two episodes. However, it would be even better if she rejoined the cast full time.
Makes me happy for two reasons. Her coming back for two episodes, but also because it probably means Shaun and Lea will marry anyway. I think she is coming back to attend the wedding.
Yep. I smell a wedding for sure. While there she’ll help out with a complicated case. Cliché, but welcome.
Yes!!! I love Clair so I’m thrilled for Antonia Thomas to return even for 2 episodes.
She is a great actress and was wonderful interacting with all of the other cast members
I was just about to quit watching because I’m not connecting to those two interns that they put and I know they are going to get their own plots and take up space. This is the best news. She is always welcome.
Glad this time the media let me know because I was on my way out the door.
It took some time I wnt lie but u will start to love them too though never as much as claire lol…as the residents move up and get more experienced they start Training new blood
I like them but to get their own plots? I don’t know. Seems kind of boring to me. I’m watching Antonia, the wedding, the baby birth and that’s it. Show needs more better characters.
Glad to see her coming back.. Might bring some kinda excitement to the Good Doctor finding this year to be somewhat boring.
Ooh, yay, this is great news :)! Will be nice to see her again, even if only for a short time.
I’m so glad to see her coming back! She is such a good actress! It’s not the same without her!!
I cryed during that good byes.
Glad to see her back – not even going to lie I was so annoyed when she left.
I am excited to have Claire return to Good Doctor. I have truly missed her. I also, love the dynamic between Claire and Lim. Claire is good for Shawn too.
I stopped watching when Antonia Thomas, as Claire Browne, left the show, I will watch whatever two shows she appears in and will stop watching again after those two episodes are over, I’ve never liked how that Shaun and Lea relationship developed.
YES!!! So happy to know that Claire will be back even if it is just a few shows.
Is she back for Shaun’s wedding?
I hope this means Sean n Leah will reconcile before season’s end and she’s back for the wedding
I am so happy to see she is coming back. For God, I hope. I was so worried about the show might not come back. My favorite show.