What Happened to Dr. Melendez on The Good Doctor? Why Did Melendez Leave The Good Doctor?
by A Maria
Updated May 31, 2023
The Good Doctor (American TV series)
"The Good Doctor" is a popular American medical drama TV series that is based on a South Korean series of the same name, which was originally aired in 2013. The American adaptation came into being thanks to actor Daniel Dae Kim, who noticed the original series and acquired the rights for his own production company.
After obtaining the rights, Kim took on the task of adapting the series for an American audience. In 2015, he approached CBS Television Studios with the project, hoping to bring it to life. However, CBS decided not to create a pilot for the show. Despite this setback, Kim believed strongly in the series and made the decision to repurchase the rights from CBS.
Subsequently, a deal was struck between Sony Pictures Television and Daniel Dae Kim, resulting in the development of "The Good Doctor." To bring the series to fruition, they enlisted the expertise of David Shore, the creator of the popular Fox medical drama "House." Shore played a pivotal role in shaping the American version of the show.
"The Good Doctor" is produced by Sony Pictures Television Studios and ABC Signature, in collaboration with production companies Shore Z Productions, 3AD, and Entermedia. David Shore serves as the showrunner, overseeing the day-to-day operations, while Daniel Dae Kim takes on the role of an executive producer, contributing to the creative and production aspects of the show.
What Happened to Dr. Melendez on The Good Doctor?
In a dramatic turn of events, the Season 3 finale of "The Good Doctor" shook the series with a powerful earthquake that caused significant devastation in the San Jose area. The lives of many characters were put in jeopardy due to the natural disaster, but it was Dr. Neil Melendez who tragically met his demise. Dr. Melendez had been a central figure in the series since Season 1, working as a skilled surgeon alongside Dr. Shaun Murphy at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital.
However, during the earthquake, he was struck by rubble, resulting in severe internal organ damage that ultimately led to his death. Consequently, the character's actor, Nicholas Gonzalez, also bid farewell to the ABC medical drama. Thankfully, unlike some departures in other TV dramas, this exit was a mutual decision reached between the actor and the show's producers.
In a 2020 interview with TVLine, Gonzalez expressed that he believed he was "leaving The Good Doctor at a really great place." This suggests that both the actor and the show's creative team were content with the character's arc and felt it was an appropriate time to conclude his storyline.
The Season 3 finale of "The Good Doctor" will be remembered for its seismic impact on the series, both literally with the earthquake and emotionally with the untimely death of Dr. Melendez. It marked a significant turning point in the show and left fans eagerly anticipating what the future held for the remaining characters and the series as a whole.
Why Did Melendez Leave The Good Doctor?
The creator of "The Good Doctor," David Shore, explained his reasoning behind the decision to proceed with the death of Dr. Melendez, emphasizing that it was not a personal choice. Shore stated, "We wanted to lose a character that we would feel something about, and feel pain about," highlighting that Dr. Melendez was a character whom many viewers had formed a deep connection with. Indeed, Dr. Melendez's death had a significant impact on the series.
Throughout previous seasons, he developed profound relationships with various characters. It was revealed that he had recently ended his relationship with Dr. Audrey Lim and had just begun to explore his feelings for Dr. Claire Browne. In a heartbreaking yet poignant scene, Melendez and Browne confess their love for each other during his final moments.
The creators of the show recognized that due to the doctor's strong connections with multiple characters in "The Good Doctor," his death would be deeply felt. Shore remarked, "I think that would have been largely true for any of our characters, but it's particularly true for him." By choosing to bid farewell to Dr. Melendez in such a manner, the show's creators aimed to evoke genuine emotional responses from the audience.
They sought to create a sense of loss and provoke strong emotions, ultimately paying tribute to the character and the impact he had on the series. The decision to move forward with Dr. Melendez's death was a deliberate and thoughtful one, driven by the desire to deliver a powerful and resonant narrative experience for the viewers of "The Good Doctor."
Why Did They Kill Off Dr Melendez?
Since its debut in 2017, "The Good Doctor" has seen the departure of cherished characters, although not always for the same reasons. Created by David Shore, the ABC medical drama revolves around Dr. Shaun Murphy, a surgeon with autism and Savant syndrome, as he establishes himself at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital.
Throughout the years, the series has introduced numerous memorable characters at St. Bonaventure, including Dr. Neil Melendez portrayed by Nicholas Gonzalez. As a surgeon responsible for overseeing the hospital's residents, Neil quickly made a lasting impression on both Shaun and the show's audience.
Neil's departure from "The Good Doctor" proved to be a challenging experience for the viewers, given his compassionate personality and the meaningful relationships he developed with several other characters in the series. He swiftly became a standout member of the ensemble, earning the status of a fan favorite. Consequently, many fans may be surprised to learn the true reason behind his exit from the beloved ABC drama.
Who Played Dr. Melendez in The Good Doctor?
Nicholas Gonzalez portrayed the character of Dr. Neil Melendez on the ABC television series "The Good Doctor." Dr. Melendez was an attending cardiothoracic surgeon who oversaw the surgical residents at the hospital. He appeared in the show's first three seasons as a regular cast member, and in the season 3 finale, he tragically succumbed to the injuries he sustained during the earthquake, resulting in his death.
However, in season 4, he made special guest appearances as visions to Dr. Claire Browne. Nicholas Edward Gonzalez is an American actor who is widely recognized for his notable roles. He gained prominence for his portrayal of Alex Santiago on the Showtime television series "Resurrection Blvd." Additionally, his portrayal of Dr. Neil Melendez in "The Good Doctor" has also garnered him significant recognition.
Throughout his career, Nicholas Gonzalez has exhibited his talent and versatility in bringing characters to life on the screen. His contributions to both "Resurrection Blvd" and "The Good Doctor" have solidified his presence in the television industry.
About The Good Doctor
Genre
Medical drama
Based on
Good Doctor
by Park Jae-bum
Developed by
David Shore
Composer
Dan Romer
Country of origin
United States
Original language
English
Original network
ABC
Original release
September 25, 2017
SPECIFICATIONS
DETAILS
What Happened to Dr. Melendez on The Good Doctor - FAQs
"The Good Doctor" is a popular American medical drama TV series. It follows the story of a surgeon with autism and Savant syndrome named Dr. Shaun Murphy as he establishes his career at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital.
Yes, "The Good Doctor" is based on a South Korean series of the same name that originally aired in 2013.
Actor Daniel Dae Kim noticed the original South Korean series and acquired the rights for his own production company. He took on the task of adapting the series for an American audience.
Yes, in 2015, Daniel Dae Kim approached CBS Television Studios with the project, hoping to develop it into a series. However, CBS decided not to create a pilot for the show, which was a setback for the adaptation.
Despite the setback, Daniel Dae Kim believed strongly in the series and decided to repurchase the rights from CBS. This allowed him to continue working on bringing "The Good Doctor" to life.