Doc Martin (2004– )

Trials and tribulations of a socially challenged doctor in Cornwall, England

Creators:

Mark Crowdy, Craig Ferguson, Dominic Minghella

Stars:

Martin Clunes, Caroline Catz, Ian McNeice

1 win & 10 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Martin Clunes	...	Dr. Martin Ellingham (38 episodes, 2004-2011)
Caroline Catz	...	Louisa Glasson (38 episodes, 2004-2011)
Ian McNeice	...	Bert Large (38 episodes, 2004-2011)
Joe Absolom	...	Al Large (33 episodes, 2004-2011)
Stephanie Cole	...	Joan Norton (27 episodes, 2004-2009)
Katherine Parkinson	...	Pauline Lamb (24 episodes, 2005-2009)
John Marquez	...	PC Penhale (23 episodes, 2007-2011)
Selina Cadell	...	Mrs Tishell (22 episodes, 2004-2011)

Storyline

Dr. Martin Ellingham, a London-based surgeon, relocates to the picturesque seaside village of Port Wenn, establishing himself as the area's general practitioner. He grew up in the area having been raised by his now widowed Aunt Joan Norton. His reasons for leaving London and the high-paid life of a consultant are not clear initially but related to a phobia he has recently developed. He soon meets several of the locals and eccentricity abounds. Martin's situation is made more difficult by what can only be referred as an almost complete lack of an acceptable bedside manner. He is gruff, abrupt and intolerant, not only in issues related to medicine, but to life in general. He and the headmistress of the local school, Louisa Glasson, are clearly attracted to each other and despite their awkwardness, slowly develop a relationship.

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Plot Keywords:

cornwall | medicine | doctor | school | anti social | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

ITV [uk]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 September 2004 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Boscastle, Cornwall, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Buffalo Pictures, Homerun Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (6 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although Martin Clunes' character is the only one to carry over (with significant back-story changes) from the telefilms, Tristan Sturrock joins Clunes as the only actor (thus far) to appear in both versions of Doc Martin.

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Quotes

Dr. Martin Ellingham: All right, Caroline, I'm going to give you an injection.
Danny Steel: [gets down on one knee, hands clasped together] I'm saying a prayer for you, Caroline.
Dr. Martin Ellingham: [eyeing Danny] Just a little prick.

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Connections

Follows Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie (2003)

User Reviews

A delight every week!

I thought that the story of an arrogant top-flight London surgeon trying to run a practice in a chummy town in Cornwall would make for a one-note fish-out-of-water series, but instead it has been a delight every week. Doctor Martin Ellingham, for a reason that will be revealed later in the series, decides to transplant himself to a seaside village in Cornwall where he spent a few summers as a child with an aunt, who presently runs an organic farm there. Being a terse, intensely closed, firmly impersonal fellow, he is appalled at the ways of the village people who consider themselves as one big, happy, nosy family. Of course, in a series like this, we expected the clash of cultures between the coldly efficient doctor and the quirky little town to be the main storyline, but it is the diversity of their quirkiness (some of which will surprise you!) and the inventive medical cases that call the doctor's attention, and the personal incidents that test his patience, that will keep you coming back for more each week. While there is a lead cast -- Doctor Ellingham (who intensely dislikes the too familiar "Doc Martin" that people insist on calling him), the head schoolteacher who develops an interest in him, despite herself, the affable teddy bear of a police constable, the exasperating receptionist with a chip on her shoulder, and the jokey, prank-loving plumber played by the wonderful Ian McNeice -- none of the characters that show up fleetingly in the beginning is actually a one-off. Eventually, everyone's back story is brought to the fore. This makes the town more and more three-dimensional and you may find yourself caring quite a lot for the individuals that make up this engaging little village; yes, even for the irascible doctor, whose own back story is rather quite poignant and makes his unbending personality more understandable. The best thing about the series is that it accomplishes all this without the schmaltz that usually ruins programs of this genre. For intelligent, humorous and charming entertainment, spend an hour in the village by the sea of Doc Martin. Who knows? Maybe someday, people will be trying to find Portwenn in the same way that fans of veterinarian-writer James Herriot have been looking for his fictional Darrowby. I would certainly give it a try.