- Doc Martin
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For the historic Taos, New Mexico physician, see Thomas "Doc" Martin. For the footwear and clothing brand, see Dr. Martens. For the baseball player, see Doc Martin (baseball).
Doc Martin 
Series title cardFormat Comedy Drama Created by Mark Crowdy
Craig Ferguson
Dominic MinghellaStarring Martin Clunes
Caroline Catz
Ian McNeice
Joe Absolom
Selina Cadell
John Marquez
Jessica Ransom
with Louise Jameson
and Eileen AtkinsTheme music composer Colin Towns Country of origin 
United KingdomNo. of series 5 No. of episodes 38 (as of 31 October) (List of episodes) Production Producer(s) Philippa Braithwaite Running time 29x 50mins
1x 92minsBroadcast Original channel ITV (ITV1/STV/UTV)
(also ITV1 HD/STV HD/UTV HD)Original run 2 September 2004 – present External links Website Doc Martin is a British television comedy drama series starring Martin Clunes in the title role. It was created by Mark Crowdy, Craig Ferguson and Dominic Minghella.[1] The show is filmed on location in the fishing village of Port Isaac, Cornwall, United Kingdom, with filming of most interior scenes and production in a converted local barn. Four series of episodes were aired between 2004 and 2009, together with a feature-length special that aired on Christmas Day 2006. The fifth series premiered on Monday 12 September, 2011 at 9pm in the UK.[2]
Contents
Synopsis
Clunes plays Dr. Martin Ellingham, a brilliant and successful vascular surgeon at Imperial College London who develops haemophobia (a fear of blood) which developed after having contemplated that a patient, upon whom he was about to operate, was in fact a person with a life and familial relationships, etc., and from that moment, like a high-wire artist who unwisely looks down, he lost his nerve. The haemophobia prevents him from performing operations, and thus he quits vascular surgery. After retraining, he applies for and obtains a post as the "GP" or General Practitioner in the sleepy Cornish village of Portwenn, where he spent childhood holidays with his aunt. Upon arriving in Portwenn, Dr. Ellingham (called "Doc Martin" by the locals), finds the surgery in disarray, the medical equipment beyond repair, and the patients’ records in a mess. He inherits an incompetent receptionist, Elaine Denham (played by Lucy Punch), who resents his coming. Her character is replaced in Series 2-4 by new receptionist and later phlebotomist Pauline Lamb (played by Katherine Parkinson).
The show revolves around Ellingham's interactions with the local Cornish villagers. Despite his medical brilliance, Ellingham is a gruff man, completely lacking in social skills. His cold, abrasive manner offends many of the villagers and leads to frequent misunderstandings. He seems to be short tempered and lacking in a bedside manner, however going about his duties in a no nonsense attitude, not believing in wasting time chatting with the villagers. His haemophobia, which results in frequent, nearly debilitating bouts of nausea and vomiting as he attends to routine patient care needs, becomes known in the village as a matter of gossip and ridicule. His aunt, Joan Norton, portrayed by Stephanie Cole, provides emotional support in the face of the disquiet his abrupt manner causes among the villagers. Caroline Catz plays primary school teacher Louisa Glasson. Doc Martin is attracted to her but finds it difficult to express his feelings. Louisa, whose caring and nurturing manner contrasts with his emotionally detached and neurotic behaviour, somehow finds him attractive as well.
Original character
Martin Clunes originally played a character called "Dr Martin Bamford" in the 2000 film Saving Grace and its two made-for-TV prequels, Doc Martin and Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie, which were made by British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB). The prequels show Bamford, a successful obstetrician rather than surgeon, finding out that his wife has been carrying on extramarital affairs behind his back. After confronting her with the news, he escapes London and heads for Cornwall, which he remembers fondly from his youth. Shortly after he arrives, he is involved in the mystery of the "Jellymaker" and, following the departure of the village's resident GP, decides to stay in Port Isaac and fill the gap. In these three films the village is not known as Portwenn.
The original deal was to produce two such television films per year for three years, but Sky Pictures folded after the first two episodes were made, so Clunes' company tried to sell the franchise to ITV. ITV felt the Martin Bamford character should be portrayed as a "townie", out of his depth and uncomfortable in the country. They also wanted something edgier, so Clunes suggested the doctor be very grumpy and socially inept. The new doctor's surname was to be Ellingham, an anagram of the last name of the new writer, Dominic Minghella, who was brought in to rework the doctor's background and create a new cast of supporting characters.
Along with Clunes the only actor to appear in both versions of Doc Martin is Tristan Sturrock.
Series
Series 4-5
Interviewed about the release of the Series 3 DVD, Clunes indicated he would take a break from acting in 2008, to allow his daughter a family summer holiday, which she missed during the programme's filming. Clunes' wife is Philippa Braithwaite, Doc Martin's producer. In February 2009, ITV confirmed plans for a fourth series with eight episodes.[3] Series 4 aired on ITV1 from 20 September to 8 November 2009,[4] and was a ratings success for ITV. STV originally did not broadcast Series 4 in Scotland due to financial issues surrounding a dispute with ITV.[5] In 2011 STV resolved its issues with ITV [6]and has since broadcast Series 4 during July and August 2011.
Series 4 was released on DVD in the UK on 1 March 2010.[7]
In the US American Public Television (a US syndicator that supplies the programme to public television stations) confirmed that Series 4 would be available to stations from 1 March 2010.[8]
In New Zealand, Series 4 began broadcasting on 25 January 2010 on TVNZ.[9]
In Australia, Series 4 began broadcasting from 12 June 2010 on ABC1.[10]
In an interview published in the Manchester Evening News on 15 September 2009,[11] Clunes said, "It looks like ITV will give the go-ahead to a fifth series but that won’t be filmed until 2011."
On 2 March 2010 during an interview on the BBC's The One Show, Clunes stated that Series 5 will be filmed in 2011.[12] ITV confirmed the commissioning of a fifth series of Doc Martin in a press release on 1 April 2010. Dame Eileen Atkins will join as Doc Martin's Aunt Ruth and Jessica Ransom is the new surgery receptionist, Morwenna Newcross. Martin Clunes, Caroline Catz, Ian McNeice, Joe Absolom, John Marquez and Selina Cadell will all return to the series.
[13] Series 5 was produced in 2011 and has eight episodes.[14] The series began airing on all ITV regions on Monday 12th September.[15]
In Australia, Series 5 began broadcasting from 15 October 2011 on ABC1.[citation needed]
Ratings
In the UK, Doc Martin has been a ratings success for ITV1 with the third series achieving ITV1's best midweek drama performance in the 9 PM Monday slot since December 2004.[16] The final episode of the third series was watched by 10.37 million viewers, which is the programme's highest-ever viewing figure for a single episode.[17]
In 2009, Doc Martin was moved to a 9 PM Sunday time slot for the broadcast of Series 4. That change meant that it followed-on from ITV's The X Factor programme. Series 4 ratings were adversely impacted by STV not screening the majority of ITV drama productions in Scotland. The final episode of Series 4 had ratings of 10.29 million[18] viewers. STV went back on its decision not to screen ITV drama in Scotland. Series 4 of Doc Martin was broadcast on Sunday afternoons in August 2011.
Foreign adaptations
Notro Films produced a Spanish version under the title Doctor Mateo for Antena 3 Televisión. It aired in 2009 and was shot in Lastres, Asturias, with the fictional name of San Martín del Sella twinned with Portwenn.
French television producers Ego Productions, in cooperation with TF1, have produced a French version of the series starring Thierry Lhermitte as Dr Martin Le Fol, with the series based in the fictional Breton town of Port-Garrec, twinned with Portwenn.[19][20]
In Germany, Doktor Martin an adaptation of the original series, airs on ZDF with Axel Milberg as Doktor Martin Helling, a surgeon from Berlin.
In Greece, Kliniki Periptosi an adaptation of the original series, will be aired in November 2011 on Mega Channel with Yannis Bezos as Markos Staikos, a surgeon from Athens.
Episodes
Main article: List of Doc Martin episodesTwenty-nine episodes aired on ITV1 in the UK between 2004 and 2009. Episodes are 50 minutes, except the 2006 Christmas special which is 92 minutes.
Cast and characters
Actor Character Duration Martin Clunes Doctor Martin Ellingham 2004– Caroline Catz Louisa Glasson 2004– Ian McNeice Bert Large 2004– Joe Absolom Al Large 2004– Selina Cadell Mrs. Sally Tishell 2004– John Marquez PC Joe Penhale 2007– Dame Eileen Atkins Aunt Ruth 2011– Jessica Ransom Morwenna Newcross 2011– Louise Jameson Eleanor Glasson 2011– Past characters
Actor Character Duration Lucy Punch Elaine Denham 2004 Felicity Montagu Caroline Bosman 2004–2005 Stewart Wright PC Mark Mylow 2004–2006 Stephanie Cole Aunt Joan 2004-2009 Angeline Ball Julie Mitchell 2005–2006 Tristan Sturrock Danny Steel 2005–2006 Katherine Parkinson Pauline Lamb 2005–2009 Joseph Morgan Mick Mabley 2007 Lia Williams Dr Edith Montgomery 2009 Guest stars
Guest stars include Celia Imrie, John Alderton, Hugh Lloyd, Jeff Rawle, Doreen Mantle, Christian Rodska, Roger Lloyd-Pack, Mary Woodvine, Miriam Margolyes, John Woodvine, Stephanie Leonidas, Ben Miller, Chris O'Dowd, Kenneth Cranham, David Bamber, Claire Bloom, Mathew Horne, Gwen Taylor, Sylvestra la Touzel, Anthony Calf, Richard Johnson, David Haig, Phyllida Law, Benjamin Whitrow, Louise Delamere, Nicholas Le Prevost, Sophie Thompson, Mathew Baynton, Andrew Lee Potts, Julie Graham, John Duttine and Tony Maudsley.
International broadcasters
- In Africa, Doc Martin airs on the Hallmark Channel on DSTV.
- In Argentina, Doc Martin airs on Film & Arts channel.
- In Australia, series 1-4 were broadcast on ABC1. It was shown on Australian PayTV channel, UKTV. Repeat episodes from series one to three have been shown on 7Two from 5 May.[when?] Series 5 will be shown on ABC1 from 15 October, 2011.
- In Belarus, Doc Martin (Doktar Marcin) airs on Belsat TV channel.
- In Belgium, Doc Martin airs on the public channel Eén.
- In Brasil, Doc Martin airs on Film & Arts channel.
- In Bulgaria, all Doc Martin series aired on the Hallmark channel.
- In Canada, Doc Martin airs on VisionTV and Knowledge Network in British Columbia.
- In Chile, Doc Martin airs on Film & Arts channel.
- In Colombia, Doc Martin airs on Film & Arts channel.
- In Czech Republic, Doc Martin (Doktor Martin) airs on the CT1 since 1 October 2009.
- In Denmark, Doc Martin airs on the public commercial channel TV2 Charlie.
- In Finland, Doc Martin airs on the public commercial channel MTV3.
- In France, the adaptation Doc Martin airs on TF1.
- In Iceland, Doc Martin airs as 'Martin læknir' on Sjónvarpið.
- In Ireland, Doc Martin airs on TV3.
- In Italy, Doc Martin also airs on the public channel RAI.
- In Italy, Hungary, Russia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and other countries where available, Doc Martin airs on the Hallmark Channel.
- In Mexico, Doc Martin airs on Film & Arts channel.
- In New Zealand, Doc Martin aired on TV One. It was also shown on New Zealand PayTV channel, UKTV
- In Norway, Doc Martin airs on the public channel NRK1.
- In Poland, Doc Martin (Doktor Martin) airs on the public channel TVP2 since 4 November 2009.
- In Romania, all Doc Martin series aired on the Hallmark channel.
- In Serbia, Doc Martin (Doktor Martin) airs on TV Avala channel.
- In Slovenia, Doc Martin series 4 airs on the SLO2 (Slovenia 2) channel.
- In Spain, the adaptation Doctor Mateo airs on Antena 3 TV channel.
- In Sweden, Doc Martin aired on the subscription Kanal 9 during late 2008 through 2010.
- In Uruguay, Doc Martin airs on Film & Arts channel.
- In USA, Doc Martin is distributed by APT to subscribing local stations. In the San Francisco Bay Area, KQEH (Channel 54, dubbed with the pseudo-callsign "KQED+ by station owner) began broadcasting reruns from the very first episode on 11 October 2011. It is expected that after series 1-4 are complete, series 5 will be broadcast. Some episodes can also be watched in the US on Netflix streaming and Hulu.
- In Venezuela, Doc Martin airs on People & Arts.
DVD releases
Series 1, 2 and 3 and "On the Edge" were released separately on Region 2 and in the "complete Series 1 to 3" box set. Series 4 was released for region 1 on 6 July 2010.
In region 4, Series 1, 2, 4, and "On the Edge" were released separately and in a nine-disc boxset entitled "Doc Martin: Comedy Cure", as well as an earlier seven-disc boxset not including Series 4. The two Sky Pictures telefilms were individually released in Region 4 (as 'Doc Martin: volume 1' and 'Doc Martin: volume 2, the Legend of the Cloutie') on the Magna Pacific label, but are now out-of-print.
Series 1 and Series 2 (including "On the Edge" as a bonus feature) have been released in Region 1. Series 3 was released on 2 February 2010 and Series 4 is scheduled for release on 6 July 2010.[21]
Awards
In 2004 Doc Martin won the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Drama, having also been nominated as Best New TV Comedy. In the same year, Martin Clunes won the Best TV Comedy Actor award, primarily for his portrayal of Doc Martin.
References
- ^ Ian Wylie. "Doc Martin in rudest health". Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408381/. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
- ^ Daily Mirror, 30 March 2011
- ^ "Contemporary | Doc Martin | Series four coming soon - ITV Drama". Itv.com. http://www.itv.com/Drama/contemporary/DocMartin/Seriesfourcomingsoon/default.html. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
- ^ Source: RadioTimes.com listings
- ^ Reid, Georgina (12 September 2009). "It's Doc Smartin'; TV Clunes slams STV for snubbing series". The Sun: p. 3. http://thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2634093/Doc-Martin-snubbed-by-STV.html. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/apr/27/stv-settles-legal-dispute-wth-itv
- ^ "Doc Martin - Series 4 - Complete [DVD] [2010]: Amazon.co.uk: Martin Clunes, Caroline Catz, Lia Williams, Stephanie Cole, Ian McNeice, Joe Absolom, Katherine Parkinson, John Marquez, Selina Cadell, David Haig, Malcolm Storry, Georgie Glen, Ben Bolt, Minkie Spiro, Craig Ferguson, Dominic Minghella, Jack Lothian, Mark Crowdy, Richard Stoneman: DVD". Amazon.co.uk. http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002YV5S50. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
- ^ "DOC MARTIN IV - American Public Television". Aptonline.org. http://www.aptonline.org/catalog.nsf/bpt/2B9F083E5DF8A1DC8525769300579446?OpenDocument. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
- ^ "Television New Zealand | News, Sport, Weather, TV ONE, TV2". TVNZ. http://tvnz.co.nz/search/?q=doc-martin-do-not-use&tab=tvall&start=0. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
- ^ Butler, Dianne (7 April 2010). "At last ABC1 has the right show on the right night at the right time". The Courier-Mail: p. 20.
- ^ Ian Wylie (2009-09-15). "Doc Martin in rudest health". Manchester Evening News. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz/s/1136818_doc_martin_in_rudest_health. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
- ^ "Martin Clunes on the One Show (2/3/10)". YouTube. 2010-03-02. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTMdNX4__so. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
- ^ "ITV recommissions Doc Martin" (Press release). ITV Press Centre. 1 April 2010. http://www.itv.com/presscentre/pressreleases/programmepressreleases/itvrecommissionsdocmartin/default.html. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
- ^ "Contemporary | Doc Martin | New series - ITV Drama". Itv.com. http://www.itv.com/drama/contemporary/docmartin/newseries/default.html. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
- ^ http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/mvbzg/doc-martin-preserve-the-romance
- ^ Dowell, Ben (2007-10-30). "Doc Martin breaks 9m barrier". London: Media Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/oct/30/tvratings.television. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
- ^ "Weekly viewing summary". BARB. http://www.barb.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
- ^ "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Barb.co.uk. 2010-06-20. http://www.barb.co.uk/report/weeklyTopProgrammes. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
- ^ "Thierry Lhermitte est "Doc Martin"". TF1. http://www.tf1.fr/telefilms/news/thierry-lhermitte-est-doc-martin-5867167.html. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
- ^ Episode 1.
- ^ "Doc Martin: Series 4: Martin Clunes, Ben Bolt: Movies & TV". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038M2S2A. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
External links
- Doc Martin at itv.com
- Doc Martin at stv.tv
- Doc Martin at the Internet Movie Database
- Doc Martin at the British Comedy Guide
- Doc Martin at British TV Comedy
- Doc Martin episodes at Hulu
- Doc Martin on Film & Arts (Spanish)
Categories:- 2000s British television series
- 2010s British television series
- 2004 television series debuts
- 2004 in British television
- British comedy-drama television programmes
- British drama television series
- Cornish culture
- ITV television programmes
- Television shows set in Cornwall
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