WARNING: This article contains spoilers for The Good Doctor season 3 that may influence your enjoyment in discovering the plotlines. Read at your own risk.
When it comes to romantic feelings, Shaun (played by Freddie Highmore) may have first experienced this with Lea (played by Paige Spara) even before The Good Doctor season 3. To recall, Shaun moved apartments in the second season just to forget her when she suddenly split and disappeared from his life. Shaun also had curious jealous feelings, which surprised even himself, when Lea began to bring home a date when they became roommates later on.
So, it came as a surprise to viewers that Shaun chose to ask Carly (played by Jasika Nicole), instead of Lea, for his very first date during last season's finale, and Carly accepted. Does this mean that Shaun will not pursue anything romantic with Lea in The Good Doctor season 3?
Showrunner David Shore gave a vague answer regarding Shaun and Lea's romantic potential in The Good Doctor season 3. Speaking with TV Line, the executive producer said that Lea would be supportive of Shaun's choice to date Carly, but that seems to be all, so far.
"She considers Shaun a friend," Shore said. "Does she have deeper feelings for him? I think that's an open question that we'll explore as we go forward."
Shore isn't confirming if Shaun and Lea will, eventually, become an item, but he is not also shutting down the idea that they might share something deeper than friendship in the future. But, how soon could that happen in The Good Doctor season 3? It will likely depend on how Shaun's date with Carly will play out.
In an exclusive clip from Entertainment Weekly, Shaun is seen telling Claire (played by Antonia Thomas) of what happened during his dinner date. Apparently, he tried to share a joke, but it bombed, and Carly wasn't impressed.
"I read six joke books and all I got was 'he he he,'" Shaun told Claire. "It was a disaster."
But, will this discourage Shaun to pursue love in The Good Doctor season 3? According to Shore, the character is going to be a full-fledged suitor in the upcoming season. However, he didn't say if this will be exclusively towards Carly or he could fancy someone else.
ABC is airing The Good Doctor season 3 beginning Monday, Sept. 23, at 10:00 p.m. The show also stars Richard Schiff, Nicholas Gonzalez, Christina Chang, Fiona Gubelmann and Will Yun Lee.
