Co-stars Freddie Highmore and Antonia Thomas of ABC's “The Good Doctor” have taken some time off recently and made time for some social visits on the American talk show circuit. The two actors who share an operating room (and sometimes a breakfast table on-screen) have more in common than being surgical residents at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital.

Between takes, Freddie Highmore and Antonia Thomas no doubt feel good about having a friend with a familiar accent. Both actors are riding the wave of the debut success of the series. “The Good Doctor” not only dominates Monday night in ratings for its network, even over “The Bachelor,” but its success has also sparked a new surge in popularity for medical dramas, as attested by a January 24 USA Today feature.

The Resident” is the most recent medical drama to make its debut. It had a somewhat disappointing start in its regular timeslot Monday on FOX. The series revolves around an ultra-socially conscious young doctor who always wants to serve above solely practicing medicine.

Language has been a common topic for both Freddie Highmore and Antonia Thomas lately. Freddie Highmore tried to be a language tutor to Ellen DeGeneres, teaching her conversational Arabic, and Antonia Thomas talked with Jimmy Kimmel about mastering a good American accent. Highmore and Thomas are both young, acclaimed stars very early in their careers, yet both have some rather haunting career issues from their pasts to live down.

First timers and old pros

Antonia Thomas made her very first talk show appearance with Jimmy Kimmel on January 23, and the host was in complete awe of the actress’ perfect American accent as Dr. Claire Brown on “The Good Doctor.” Kimmel offered Antonia the highest praise in saying that he did not realize she was not born an American.

The hard “RRR” according to 31-year-old Thomas is the toughest nuance of American English to perfect, but Thomas got plenty of practice at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic company in London, and was cast almost immediately out of drama school as Alisha Daniels on the British comedy “Misfits.” Another romantic comedy, “Lovesick” is catching on in America on Netflix.

Freddie Highmore was on “Ellen” for the first time at age 12, promoting his movie, “Finding Neverland.” By the time he was 18, he already had performed in starring roles in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “The Spiderwick Chronicles.” Like Thomas, he hails from London and has a family heritage in acting. His father, Edward, is a respected actor with a long roster of roles, and his mother, Sue Latimer, is an agent for many famous clients, including Daniel Radcliffe.

Titles and typecasting to overcome

Despite her accolades, Antonia Thomas regrets that her “Lovesick” series was titled “Scrotal Recall” initially. “It was the bane of my existence,” she confesses. No matter how wonderful it feels for any actor to have a starring role, no actor wants an unrepeatable title to go on a resume.

The biggest career break for Freddie Highmore was his portrayal of the young Norman Bates in “Bates Motel.” The tense psycho-drama gathered an audience and award kudos in its five seasons, but the character is an extreme contrast to the gentle and dutiful surgeon with autism, Dr. Shaun Murphy. Highmore has already received a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal, and there is much more depth to probe as his character grows more assertive and independent. As a side note, Highmore prefers to keep his American accent while shooting.

Antonia Thomas is an ally to Dr. Murphy as Dr. Brown, and the characters may draw closer, since Dr. Murphy's relationships with Dr. Glassman is undergoing some transition, following the young resident’s stand to make his own life decisions.

The character may have all he can handle from a very insensitive new female resident in February. Also, on their show and in life, Antonia Thomas and Freddie Highmore are discovering that a friend is a truly good thing to have.