Doc Martin: Overview, Synopsis and Cast

Doc Martin is a British television medical comedy-drama series starring Martin Clunes in the title role. It was created by Dominic Minghella after the character of Dr Martin Bamford in the 2000 comedy film Saving Grace. The programme is set in the fictional seaside village of Portwenn and filmed on location in the village of Port Isaac, Cornwall, United Kingdom, with most interior scenes shot in a converted local barn.

Nine series aired between 2004 and 2019, with a television film airing on Christmas Day in 2006. The ninth and most recent series aired on ITV from September 2019 and streamed in the United States and Canada on Acorn TV. In April 2020 the tenth and final series were confirmed by director Nigel Cole.

Martin Clunes as Martin Ellingham – Village GP doctor. Martin has no bedside manner. He despises small talk, and is straightforward with patients, delivering his diagnoses and advice without trying to protect their feelings, though he is genuinely concerned about their health. Clunes also plays Martin’s father in a flashback to Martin’s childhood in one episode.,Caroline Catz as Louisa Ellingham (née Glasson) – School teacher/headmistress; later, Martin’s wife.,Ian McNeice as Bert Large – Local businessman.,Joe Absolom as Al Large – Bert’s son, who works in a variety of jobs during the series.,Selina Cadell as Sally Tishell – Pharmacist.,John Marquez as Joe Penhale (series 3– ) – Police officer.,Eileen Atkins as Ruth Ellingham (series 5– ) – Retired forensic psychiatrist; Martin’s aunt., Jessica Ransom as Morwenna Newcross (Series 5– ) – Surgery receptionist.

Nine series totalling 70 episodes aired on ITV in the UK between 2004 and 2019. Episodes are just under 50 minutes long, except for the 2006 TV film which is 92 minutes.