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Doc Martin

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Doc Martin
Series title card
Created byDominic Minghella
StarringMartin Clunes
Ian McNeice
Caroline Catz
Stephanie Cole
Joe Absolom
Katherine Parkinson
Stewart Wright
Selina Cadell
Theme music composerColin Towns
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes21 x 50 min, 1 x 92 min
Production
ProducerPhilippa Braithwaite
Running time50 mins
Original release
NetworkITV
ReleaseSeptember 2, 2004 –
present

Doc Martin is a British television comedy drama starring Martin Clunes. Created by Dominic Minghella, it is filmed on location in and around the fishing village of Port Isaac, Cornwall, with filming of most interior scenes and production carried out in a converted barn at a local farm. So far, there have been three series of the show, and a feature-length special that first aired on Christmas Day 2006. Shooting for the third series, which was seven episodes in duration, finished in July 2007, and it began airing on 24 September, 2007 on ITV. A fourth series has been commissioned[1] and begins production in September 2008[2].

Synopsis

Clunes plays (fictional) Portwenn's local GP, Martin Ellingham, who was once a successful London surgeon until he developed a phobia of blood that prevented him conducting operations. After retraining as a GP, he applied for a post in the sleepy Cornish hamlet of Portwenn, where he spent childhood holidays.

Much of the show's humour revolves around Ellingham's interaction with the local Cornish villagers. Despite his surgical brilliance, Ellingham lacks vital personal skills and any semblance of a bedside manner, and often fails to understand other people. Dr Ellingham (referred to as 'Doc Martin' by the friendly locals), much to his disgust, finds the surgery is in disarray. The medical equipment is beyond repair, and the patients’ records are a mess. To top it all he inherits the world’s most incompetent receptionist, Elaine Denham, who clearly resents Doc Martin moving in.

As the village's new doctor steps into the village he is encountered by a dog who seems to become besotted with him, following him into his house, car, surgery and even in his bed throughout both Series 1 and 2. Despite Doc Martin's bitterness towards the dog, he ends up reluctantly liking it, after giving up with the villagers thinking Doc Martin is its owner.

The community is united in horror at their miseryguts of a new GP. Doc Martin soon finds he needs all the allies he can get as he tries to negotiate his way around village life with humorous consequences.

Martin is joined by a cast which includes Stephanie Cole as his Aunt Joan, who provides him with emotional support in the face of the disquiet among the villagers. Caroline Catz plays pretty primary school teacher Louisa Glasson. Doc Martin is attracted to her, but he is hopeless at personal relationships.

Background

Clunes' character was originated as Dr. Martin Bamford in the 2000 film Saving Grace. He then appears in two "prequel" television films made by BSkyB, Doc Martin and Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie, in which viewers learn that Bamford, a successful obstetrician, finds that his wife has been carrying on extramarital affairs behind his back with his three best friends. After confronting her with the news, he decides to leave London and heads for Cornwall, which he remembers fondly from his youth. Shortly after he arrives, he gets 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 himself.

Although the original deal was to produce two television films per year for three years, Sky Pictures folded after the first two were made, so Clunes' company tried selling the franchise to ITV who generally liked it, but felt the character of Martin Bamford needed a little something more to him than just being a "townie" who is a little out of his depth in the country. ITV wanted something a little more edgy, so Clunes came up with the idea of the doctor being unusually grumpy. In the process, the doctor's last name was changed from Bamford to Ellingham, an anagram of the last name of new writer Dominic Minghella who was brought in to re-work the Doc's backstory and create a new village of supporting characters.

Quite often during the series there are references to people being "a bit Bodmin". This is a reference to the fact that Bodmin was once the centre of mental health care for the South West, and was based at the former St Lawrences Hospital site and now at Bodmin Hospital.

Although 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.

Commissioning

ITV have recently confirmed that they have commissioned a fourth series. However, when interviewed on both television and radio in order to promote the Series 3 DVD, Martin Clunes stated several times that he is taking a break from acting. This is due to the fact that his daughter Emily hasn't had a proper summer holiday with her parents (Martin's wife being the producer of the show, Philippa Braithwaithe) since they started filming Doc Martin. Therefore it is unlikely a new series will be shown before 2009. It is however possible that a 2008 Christmas special is in the pipeline, since a source mentioned that production for new episodes will start in September 2008[3]..

Ratings

In the UK the show has been a ratings success for ITV1, the third series achieving ITV1's best midweek drama performance in the 9pm slot since December 2004.[4]The final episode of the third series was watched by over 10 million viewers and netted the programme's highest-ever viewing figures.[5]

Episodes

Twenty-two episodes have aired with a fourth series in production, to be aired in Autumn of 2009 at the earliest[1].

Series 1 (2004)

# Title Writer Director Viewers Original airdate
1:1"Going Bodmin[7]"Dominic MinghellaBen Bolt9.93 million[8]2 September 2004
Martin attends an interview for the post of GP. Having unwittingly offended local teacher Louisa Glasson, he spontaneously diagnoses her glaucoma. Although pleased to renew his acquaintance with his Auntie Joan with whom he spent holidays as a boy, he is less than enamoured of the other locals he encounters and the state of his predecessor's surgery. Disillusioned he decides that he has made a mistake and will return to London.[6]
1:2"Gentlemen Prefer[7]"Dominic MinghellaBen Bolt8.98 million[8]9 September 2004
Martin's surgery officially opens for business, but patients continue to treat it as a drop-in cafe. Former teacher Roger Fenn has a nasty cough and Martin refers him to a specialist for a biopsy on a neck lump.
1:3"Sh*t Happens[7]"Dominic MinghellaBen Bolt8.91 million[8]16 September 2004
A stomach bug sweeps the village and patients fill Martin's surgery. Martin also appears on the local radio station. Bert Large and his son have an argument over the future of the family plumbing business.[6]
1:4"The Portwenn Effect[7]"Dominic MinghellaBen Bolt9.31 million[8]23 September 2004
Louisa buys two tickets to the Portwenn Players Dance and invites Martin. He doesn't want to go so Louisa offers the ticket to Mark instead. Peter Cronk, a boy at Louisa's school, causes trouble on a wildlife trip.[6]
1:5"Of All The Harbours In All The Towns[7]"Kirstie Falkous
John Regier		Ben Bolt9.45 million[8]30 September 2004
John Slater, an old flame of Joan's, returns to the village hoping to rekindle his love affair with her, but Martin discovers he has a life-threatening heart condition. 15 year old Melanie Gibson has a crush on the doctor.[6]
1:6"Haemophobia[7]"Dominic MinghellaBen Bolt9.31 million[8]7 October 2004
Martin is forced to confront his fear of blood, both when the town plays a prank on him involving ketchup as a fake injury, and when Peter, a young lad of the town suffers a ruptured spleen that needs to be urgently operated on.[6]

Series 2 (2005)

# Title Writer Director Viewers Original airdate
2:1"Old Dogs[10]"Dominic Minghella
Edana Minghella		Ben Bolt8.86 million[8]10 November 2005
Louisa's old flame, Danny Steel, comes to Portwenn hoping to rekindle their romance. He is furious with Martin for interfering with his mother's move to a nursing home.[9]
2:2"Loco[10]"Richard StonemanBen Bolt8.19 million[8]17 November 2005
Louisa interviews for a position as headmistress; Peter stays with Martin after his mother suffers serious burns.[9]
2:3"Blood Is Thicker[10]"Jack LothianBen Bolt9.26 million[8]24 November 2005
Al discovers Bert is not his natural father; Martin diagnoses food poisoning for a rural family with a mysterious unseen mother.[9]
2:4"Aromatherapy[10]"Dominic Minghella
Edana Minghella		Ben Bolt8.99 million[8]1 December 2005
An old man, inexplicably emanating a horrible stench, consults Doctor Ellingham; and the local radio host, Caroline, seems to have a serious drink problem.[9]
2:5"Always On My Mind[10]"Richard StonemanBen Bolt8.56 million[8]8 December 2005
Martin examines Helen Pratt, but she collapses and dies. Her husband, Peter, is angry with the doctor and blames him for his wife's death. A feud develops between Peter and Helen's long-time friend, Joan.[9]
2:6"The Family Way[10]"Dominic Minghella
Edana Minghella		Ben Bolt8.83 million[8]15 December 2005
Martin's parents come to stay with him. He hasn't seen them for 7 years, and is puzzled as to why they should turn up out of the blue.[9]
2:7"Out Of The Woods[10]"Jack LothianMinkie Spiro8.11 million[8]22 December 2005
PC Mark Mylow spends his stag night sleeping rough in the woods with Al Large.[9]
2:8"Erotomania[10]"Dominic Minghella
Edana Minghella		Minkie Spiro8.60 million[8]5 January 2006
Martin tries to persuade Mrs Tishell, the pharmacist, to remove her collar, which she has worn for years. Louisa breaks up with Danny.[9]

Feature-length special (2006)

# Title Writer Director Viewers Original airdate
n–a"On The Edge"Jack LothianBen Bolt5.88 million[8]25 December 2006
Nesting Choughs - Louisa's father

Series 3 (2007)

# Title Writer Director Viewers Original airdate
3:1"The Apple Doesn't Fall"Richard StonemanBen Bolt8.10 million[8]24 September 2007
Martin believes Louisa may be anaemic after she passes out in front of her class. A young girl is treated for her hyperactivity when its discovered she's been taking her Mum's diet pills.[11]
3:2"Movement"Nick VivanBen Bolt8.58 million[8]1 October 2007
Bert Large abandons his plumbing business in favour of running a restaurant. Following the restaurant's opening, several cases of food poisoning occur with Louisa being one of the victims.[11]
3:3"City Slickers"Richard StonemanBen Bolt8.84 million[8]8 October 2007
A couple and their son move in next door to Louisa causing problems for her, Martin and the local people.[11]
3:4"The Admirer"Jack LothianBen Bolt8.81 million[8]15 October 2007
Hotel owner Carrie Wilson has her sights on Martin much to Louisa's chagrin. Joan has an admirer in painter Edward Melville, who is 30 years younger than her.[11]
3:5"The Holly Bears A Prickle"Ben BoltBen Bolt9.21 million[8]22 October 2007
Martin and Louisa go out on a date, but it is ruined by an inappropriate remark, and Louisa ends their relationship. Louisa's friend, Holly, injures her back while walking in Portwenn.[11]
3:6"Nowt So Queer"Keith TempleBen Bolt9.92 million[8]29 October 2007
Martin and Louisa finally get engaged, and plans are made for the wedding. Mushrooms turn out to be the cause of ill health in the village.[11]
3:7"Happily Ever After"Jack LothianBen Bolt10.37 million[8]5 November 2007
On the day of their wedding, Louisa's bridesmaid is hit in the eye with a party popper; Martin suggests the vicar has a drink problem and later catches him with a bottle of whisky. The vicar ends up in hospital after falling over and fracturing his pelvis. Martin has to find a replacement.[11]

Regular cast

Guest stars

The programme has featured many notable guest stars including: Celia Imrie, John Alderton, Hugh Lloyd, Jeff Rawle, Doreen Mantle, Christian Rodska, Roger Lloyd-Pack, Mary Woodvine, John Woodvine, Ben Miller, Chris O'Dowd and Kenneth Cranham.

International broadcasters

  • In Australia, Doc Martin aired on ABC1 on Saturday nights. It was also shown on Australian PayTV channel, UKTV.
  • In New Zealand, Doc Martin aired on TV One on Saturday nights. It was also shown on New Zealand PayTV channel, UKTV
  • In Canada, Doc Martin airs on VisionTV and Knowledge Network in British Columbia.
  • In Germany, Doc Martin airs as Doktor Martin, the name of the Doc is Martin Helling, on ZDF on Wednesday evenings. It's an adaptation of the original series with Axel Milberg as Doktor Martin Helling a surgeon from Berlin.
  • In Italy, Hungary, Russia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and other countries where available, Doc Martin airs on the Hallmark Channel.
  • In Belgium, Doc Martin airs on the public channel één.
  • In Finland, Doc Martin airs on the public commercial channel MTV3.
  • In Norway, Doc Martin airs on the public channel NRK1.
  • In Denmark, Doc Martin airs on the public commercial channel TV2 Charlie1 on Thursday evenings.
  • In Romania, all Doc Martin series aired on the Hallmark channel.
  • In USA, Doc Martin was airing in the summer of 2008 on WUSF Tampa at 10pm on Tuesdays, and in fall of 2008 on Wisconsin Public Television at 8pm on Saturdays. WSBE, Rhode Island PBS, picked up the series in the timeslot where Kingdom had been airing, Saturday nights at 9pm.
  • In Africa, Doc Martin airs on the Hallmark Channel on DSTV.
  • In Bulgaria, all Doc Martin series aired on the Hallmark channel.

DVD releases

Series 1, 2 and 3 have been released on region 2, Series 1, 2, 3 and 'On the Edge' on region 4 and Series 1 on region 1.

The feature-length Doc Martin 2006 Christmas special will be available on dvd exclusively through Amazon.co.uk from September 2008, though it is also included in a boxset edition of Series 1 to 3, which will also be available in September 2008.

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. (He had also starred in 'Beauty', part of the Trapped trilogy on ITV.)

Doc Martin, in the form of 'Doc Martin's path to love' has been nominated as one of ITV's Clips of the Year for 2007 at itv.comThe winner is determined by public vote.

References

  1. ^ http://GM.TV Interview with Martin Clunes, November, 2007.
  2. ^ http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117989447.html?categoryid=19&cs=1 Doc Martin in Spain, July, 2007.
  3. ^ http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117989447.html?categoryid=19&cs=1 Doc Martin in Spain, July, 2007.
  4. ^ "Doc Martin breaks 9m barrier". Media Guardian. 2007-10-30. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
  5. ^ "Weekly viewing summary". BARB. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Doc Martin episode guide". Radio Times. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "itv.com Episode guide".
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "BARB Terrestrial Top 30".
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Series two episode guide
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h "itv.com Episode guide".
  11. ^ a b c d e f g Series 3 episode guide
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