Freddie Highmore on Quarantine Beard, COVID Tests & The Good Doctor

TL;DR

Freddie Highmore shares insights about quarantine experiences and the filming of The Good Doctor during the pandemic.

Transcript

earlier tonight our next guest went head to head with the coronavirus and even attempted socially distant sex his show is called the good doctor you can watch it monday nights on abc please welcome freddie highmore hi freddie how are you good how are you doing i'm good you know i don't even remember you were with us right before everybody had to go... Read More

Key Insights

• 👀 Freddie Highmore humorously reflected on the challenges of becoming unrecognizable with his new beard look during quarantine.
• 😷 The pandemic created unique social interactions where masks could lead to unexpected encounters, complicating personal space and distance.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Highmore's extensive COVID testing experience highlights the safety measures that actors must go through to comply with health guidelines during filming.
• 🛟 The show "The Good Doctor" aims to introduce real-life elements such as the pandemic and its effects, though it will focus on them for a limited time.
• ✋ There is a blend of high stakes in storytelling, mirroring real life, as audiences seek comfort in media representations of current events.
• 😫 Highmore described how the pandemic significantly altered the dynamics of filming, making the set an environment of caution and creativity under unprecedented circumstances.
• ⛈️ The actor's wit during the interview displayed his ability to convey serious topics while still engaging in light-hearted banter about his quarantine experiences.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Freddie Highmore's appearance change during quarantine?

During quarantine, Freddie Highmore let his beard grow much longer than usual, which he found bemusing. He humorously described the look and noted that he had never let his facial hair grow out like that before, revealing that he was surprised by the differences, especially the red tones in his beard.

Q: What was the impact of wearing a mask for Freddie Highmore while in public?

Highmore mentioned that wearing a mask allowed him to go largely unrecognized until people got closer, mistaking him for his character, "The Good Doctor." The mask acted as a double-edged sword, as it sometimes encouraged others to approach him, forgetting social distancing, which created an interesting dynamic for an actor during the pandemic.

Q: What were the COVID testing protocols for "The Good Doctor" cast?

Highmore revealed that the cast undergoes COVID testing three times a week and humorously identified himself as a "connoisseur" of tests, having experienced various types, including saliva, blood, throat swabs, and two types of nasal tests, sharing his thoughts on the discomfort levels involved.

Q: Will the coronavirus pandemic be addressed in future episodes of "The Good Doctor"?

Freddie shared that the show would touch on the pandemic situation, but only in the first two episodes of the season, joking about the potential of his character finding a cure. He acknowledged the blending of reality and fiction, as many viewers are emotionally invested in the show and its portrayal of current events.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Freddie Highmore reflects on his experience during quarantine, mentioning that he returned to the UK and let his beard grow wild, leading to humorous moments regarding his appearance.

• Highmore discusses how wearing a mask made him more recognizable as "The Good Doctor," but also complicated social interactions due to the pandemic restrictions.

• The actor talks about COVID testing protocols while filming, revealing he underwent multiple types of tests and joked about the differences between them.