The doctor is in

BACK AS WORLD’S FAVOURITE MEDIC

artin Clunes returns to Cornwall to play the grumpy medic in a brand new series of Doc Martin that will broadcast on ITV Choice later this year.

Clunes, pictured, reprises his role as Dr Martin Ellingham, the GP with a brusque bedside manner and a phobia of blood, in eight new episodes of the successful drama set in the idyllic, sleepy hamlet of Portwenn in Cornwall.

Filming has just begun on location in picturesque Port Isaac with all regular members of the cast returning to the popular series. Caroline Catz plays Doc Martin’s wife and local school headmistress, Louisa Ellingham. After having therapy to save their marriage in the last series, they face the challenge of living happily together with their baby, James Henry.

Clunes said: “I’m thrilled to be back on the beautiful North Cornish coast to shoot series eight of Doc Martin. The Doc is as obstinate as ever, but he is trying his best to be a better husband and father.”

Returning to the series, Dame Eileen Atkins plays Doc Martin’s formidable Aunt Ruth, who is beginning to doubt the wisdom of going into business with Bert Large (Ian McNeice) and his son Al (Joe Absolom). Meanwhile, Bert is desperate to make his home-distilled whisky a success, but there’s a shortage of customers and guests are not exactly flocking to Al’s bed and breakfast so he fears he will have to close the doors for good.

Wedding bells are ringing for unlucky in love PC Joe Penhale (John Marquez), who popped the question to the Doc’s nanny Janice Bone (Robyn Addison) in the last series and is looking forward to marital bliss. But will the course of true love run smoothly at last for Portwenn’s police officer?

There’s romance too for the doctor’s receptionist, Morwenna Newcross (Jessica Ransom), who has hooked up with Al. But there’s devastating news for Morwenna when her parents Jack and Tara Newcross return to Portwenn unexpectedly.

Art Malik (Cold Feet, Homeland) guest stars in the new series playing John Rahmanzai, a visitor to Portwenn, who surprises Ruth with information about someone from her past.

Doc Martin is screened worldwide and across the African continent via ITV Choice (DStv channel 123). – Citizen reporter