Why I’m hanging up my stethoscope
Martin Clunes on the tenth and final series of Doc Martin – and why the show holds such emotional memories for him
Martin Clunes was partway through filming a scene in Doc Martin’s increasingly empty home when reality struck. After 18 years he was suddenly aware that his time playing the grumpy GP was drawing to a close — and there was no turning back.
‘When we started shooting the final series in February I was quite wistful, thinking this would be the last time I’d film in this place or that place,’ says Martin. ‘Then the sheer pressure of work took over and I didn’t have time for those thoughts. But filming scenes in which the Doc and his wife Louisa are packing up the house and preparing to go back to London, and seeing those boxes and the bare set, it was quite moving.’
The nine series of Doc Martin thus far, in which fish-out-ofwater Martin Ellingham has been working as a GP in the Cornish seaside village of Portwenn after an aversion to blood scuppered his career as a London surgeon, have attracted an average audience of eight million and the show has been broadcast in 138 countries. The Clunatics Fan Club is thriving, and the US-based Bert Large Lovers Group — in honour of the village’s resident oddjob man played by
Ian McNeice — has more than 4,000 members.
Hollywood star Sigourney Weaver loves the show so much that she made two guest appearances, and splendidly named ‘patients’ at the Doc’s practice have included Theresa Green, Helen Highwater and Leanne Perrins.
The combination of comedy and medical jeopardy has undoubtedly been a reason for the show’s success, although producer Philippa Braithwaite — Martin’s real-life wife — believes there’s more to it than that. ‘People loved the character from the first episode, as well as the world that’s been created around him and the wonderful Cornish scenery,’ she says. ‘You never know if something is going to work or not, but luckily it does with the mix we’ve put together here. It also helps that it’s a kind programme. The letters we get from people suggest they really like that. There’s no malice, no murder and people love Portwenn [real location Port Isaac] to the point that they want to live here.’
All of which begs the question: why end it now? With its healthy ratings and overseas sales, ITV could carry on commissioning it for years to come.
‘Because I think we’ve sort of done everything,’ says Martin. ‘It’d be great to carry on but I don’t think we could keep it as good.’
At the start of this final series, the Doc has resigned as a GP after coming under scrutiny by the General Medical Council. His onscreen wife Louisa (Caroline Catz), the former headmistress of the village school, is using his consulting room for her work as a child therapist, leaving receptionist Morwenna (Jessica Ransom) to seek alternative employment.
The Doc also has to cope with a double dose of fatherhood.
Since the last series there’s been an addition to the Ellingham family, with baby Mary Elizabeth joining fouryear-old James Henry.
Might that work for some kind of prequel or sequel? ‘Or how about an origin story, Baby Doc,’ jokes Martin.
‘Never say never,’ adds Philippa. ‘Right now we’re in the thick of it filming the final scenes, but my mind is already thinking of the spinoffs, sequels and prequels we could do. Watch this space!’ –Tim Oglethorpe