Doc Martin (ITV 2004, Martin Clunes, Caroline Catz)

Drama series Doc Martin follows Dr Martin Ellingham who quits his London job as a top-surgeon because he has developed a phobia of blood. He moves to a small Cornish village, Portwenn, to become a local GP where his straight-laced manner is at odds with the ways of the local characters and he has to learn to try and fit in.

The show has quietly become one of ITV’s most popular, the dynamic between Ellingham and the villagers is excellent but the real strength of the early series was the Doc’s relationship with school teacher Louisa, season three was mostly focused on a will they wont they story arc with the pair finally agreeing to tie the knot in the final episode of the season only for Martin to call things off at the very last possible moment.

Season four opened with Louisa up in London and a new Doctor arriving on the scene in the shape of Dr Edith Montgomery however very quickly Louisa returns and pregnant into the bargain, she is determined not to get back together with Martin and decides to move into a room above the pub. Meanwhile Martin is getting somewhat tired of life in Portwenn and is contemplating a move back to London.

The series is credited as arising from the film “Saving Grace” which was released in 2000 in which Martin Clunes also starred although there were several plot differences including the character’s surname which was Dr Martin Bamford, his character was only a supporting one too. Clunes subsequently made two further films “Doc Martin”, and “Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie” as the same character giving some background on the Doc’s migration to Cornwall. These films were shown on Sky TV.

The village of Portwenn is in reality Port Isaac, Cornwall and a bit of trivia is that the Doc’s surname Ellingham is an anagram of series creator Dominic Minghella’s surname! Martin Clunes and Caroline Catz.

production details
UK / ITV-1-Buffalo Productions-Home Run Productions / 29x60minute episodes 1×90 minute episode / Broadcast 2 September 2004 – 8 November 2009

Creator: Dominic Minghella / Music: Colin Towns / Executive Producer: Mark Crowdy / Producer: Philippa Braithwaite

cast
MARTIN CLUNES as Dr Martin Ellingham
CAROLINE CATZ as Louisa Glasson
KATHERINE PARKINSON as Pauline Lamb
STEPHANIE COLE as Joan Norton
LUCY PUNCH as Elaine Denham (2004)
IAN McNEICE as Bert Large
JOE ANSOLOM as Al Large
STEWART WRIGHT as PC Mark Mylow (2004-2006)
SELINA CADELL as Sally Tishell
JOHN MARQUEZ as Pc Joe Penhale (2007-continuing)
LIA WILLIAMS as Dr Edith Montgomery (2009)
ANGELINE BALL as Julie Mitchell (2005-2006)
FELICITY MONTAGU as Caroline Bosman (2004-2005)
TRISTAN STURROCK as Danny Steel (2005-2006)
JOSEPH MORGAN as Mick Mabley (2007)