Clunes to retire Doc Martin after 17 years
HE’S said it before – but Martin Clunes has revealed that TV’s Doc Martin really is going to hang up his stethoscope after the next series.
The 58- year- old, who makes the ITV drama with his producer wife Philippa Braithwaite, said it will end for good after filming finishes next year.
He added: “When we launched the series in 2004 we could never have imagined how much our loyal viewers would take to the grumpy Doc like they have. The series has avid fans both in the UK and throughout the world and we are thrilled that Doc Martin has topped the ratings every time.
“However, after 16 years we now feel that the time has come to say goodbye to Portwenn.
“We will be making the tenth and final series in 2021 and we are very much looking forward to returning to Cornwall to film it.” Clunes has tried to retire the Doc before. In 2017 he said: “In 2019 we’ll do season nine, and that – as far as we know – is it.
“We may have to retire the doctor. He’ll probably be of retirement age by then.”
In the drama, made by the couple’s production company Buffalo Pictures, Clunes plays a curmudgeonly GP with a fear of blood who eventually marries his on- off girlfriend Louisa, played by Caroline Catz, 50.
ITV drama boss Polly Hill said the final series will air late next year.
She added: “It’s a brilliant, beautifully made series that has delighted audiences for many years. I am pleased that we are making series 10, and sad this will be the last, but respect their decision to bring it to a close.”
Clunes yesterday saw off competition from the likes of Normal People’s Paul Mescal to pick up the best actor prize for Doc Martin at the virtual TV Choice Awards.