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

Sky Television originally made two TV movies with the Dr. Martin Bamford character from Saving Grace, called Doc Martin and Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie. Martin Clunes' production company signed a six-film contract, at two films a year for three years, but Sky Pictures folded after the first two were completed. Clunes then took the concept to ITV, who liked the basic idea but wanted it to be more than just a "fish out of water" story. So, the Doctor's back-story and personality were changed. It's possible the name change came about for copyright reasons.

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Quotes

Dr. Martin Ellingham: Hello, Fenn, how are you?
Louisa Glasson: Don't you think it's a little late for the concerned routine?
Dr. Martin Ellingham: What in God's name are you...?
Louisa Glasson: When you have precisely one patient I'd think you'd want to visit him in hospital. No, Roger, don't try and speak.
Roger Fenn: [very hoarse] He *did* come and see me. Depressed the hell out of me.
Dr. Martin Ellingham: It was mutual.
Louisa Glasson: Well...
[to Martin]
Louisa Glasson: You could've told me.
Dr. Martin Ellingham: I tried to, but that woman shushed me.

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Connections

Version of Doctor Mateo (2009)

User Reviews

The Brits Know How to Do It

Doc Martin is so unusual and wonderfully off-kilter that it becomes addictive within 20 minutes of exposure.

The titular Doc is a guy who was probably a curmudgeon before puberty. He's a surgeon from sophisticated, worldly London who moves to (fictional) Portwenn on the coast of Cornwall because he suddenly becomes ill at the sight of blood. This is not a good omen for a surgeon. He quits to become a general practitioner and he's satisfied, thanks very much, with checkups, prescriptions and referrals.

The foul-mannered, blunt-spoken Doc smugly considers himself above the crowd, but he soon learns he is really BELOW the crowd, out of step with Portwenn's eccentricities, value systems and peculiar burghers, who make the mere lunatics of London look normal by comparison.

Martin Clunes is terrific in the lead role. He is a tall, charismatic and not exactly handsome actor who looks like he would be more comfortable playing cops and heavies. He is, instead, a consummate comic actor. His facial and physical comedy, his frequent bouts of exasperation and bewilderment, are things to behold. (Note: some wags have compared him to 'House,' from the popular TV drama of the same name. House is played by Hugh Laurie, another splendid Brit, and that's about where the comparison begins and ends. They are two very different characters in two very different shows.)

Portwenn's local population, with its twisted logic that somehow makes perfect sense, is represented through the tour-de-force acting of supporting players: Bert (Ian McNeice, who always dazzles playing offbeat, world-weary philosophical characters); Louise (the charming and beautiful Caroline Catz), who either loves Martin or wants to kill him; corn-rowed Elaine (lovely Lucy Punch) as the ditzy assistant with her own set of secretarial ethics; and Doc's Aunt Joan (the great Stephanie Cole, who has been delighting audiences since the 1960s).

Dominic Minghella, he of the Minghella mob of talented artists (brother Anthony directed 'The English Patient'), is the brains behind this brilliant controlled chaos.

Don't miss this program. TV shows that are both funny AND intelligent are the rarest of TV fare.

And a fast footnote: let us all bow our heads and pray that Hollywood doesn't try to remake this.