Why is Antonia Thomas leaving Good Doctor?
FANS saw the last of Dr Claire Browne in the June 7 season 4 finale of The Good Doctor. Antonia Thomas has starred as Dr Browne since the very beginning of the ABC medical drama series. Deadline broke the news of Thomas' departure the same day her last episode was set to air on ABC. The series bid farewell to Dr Browne in its two-part close, where the team from the San Jose St Bonaventure Hospital is on a surgical mission in Guatemala. In the second part of The Good Doctor finale, Browne came into her own, leading a complex, lengthy surgery for the first time and making a risky life-and-death decision that saved her patient. On the way to the airport, she was offered a job at the Guatemalan clinic and took it. 4 Antonia Thomas departed the series after the season 4 finale Credit: ABC  Thomas spoke to Deadline about her decision to leave the series before the end of her contract, hinting that the size of US broadcast orders was a factor as she is looking to explore different creative opportunities." In the interview, Thomas said she would love to reprise her role as a guest star in the future. "It was a really, really difficult decision, and leaving, I have to say, is a bittersweet thing for me because the last four years have been absolutely incredible," Thomas told the outlet. "I feel so lucky and basically indebted to David Shore and the writers for having the experience to play Claire, who has just been a wonderful, wonderful character to explore, so layered and complicated and flawed, the kind of character that I think an actress dreams to be able to play. 4 In the season finale Dr Browne accepts a job offer at the Guatemalan clinic Credit: ABC  "I think, ultimately, for me, its about coming to the point where I think weve really run the gamut of different things that Claire can have gone through, and Im now really excited to explore different creative opportunities." Thomas added: " I am just now ready to try something new, ultimately." The two-part season finale of The Good Doctor concluded on Monday, June 7. The St. Bonaventure doctors headed to Guatemala for a medical mission in the first part of The Good Doctors finale. After narrowing down their patient pool to 12, they began operating in the second half. Seeking Sister Wife's Garrick & Dannielle building massive $240K home Exclusive MAMA'S GIRLS Mama June reunites with four daughters including Anna for first time in years Spoiler THURSTON'S PICK Meet Katie Thurstons final four on The Bachelorette MERIS MAKEOVER! Sister Wives star Meri stuns in sexy top and new hair after leaving Kody LOVE CROWD Garrick and Dannielle Merrifield's relationship explained  The season finale also showcased doctors Morgan Reznick and Alex Park declaring their love for each other, while Dr Marcus Andrews revealed that his wife Isabel had left him for another man. Dr Mateo Rendn Osma decided to return to the States to be with Dr Audrey Lim - while at the same time face a decade-old arrest warrant. The season finale of The Good Doctor could be viewed on ABC's website by logging into your TV provider - or can also be streamed on Hulu.