London calling
MARTIN CLUNES bids farewell to Doc Martin…
IT WAS IN 2004 when Dr Martin Ellingham, played by Martin Clunes, became Portwenn’s GP in the first series of ITV’S Doc Martin. It was a while before the Cornish villagers saw past the brilliant doctor’s abrupt manner and lack of social skills and took him to their hearts. But eventually they did, as did millions of viewers.
As the 10th and final series of the hugely popular comedy drama ends this week, the story comes full circle. In the very first episode, the fish-out-of-water GP tore down the ‘Sold’ sign as he moved into the cottage that was to become his home and his surgery. Now, in this episode, there’s a ‘For sale’ sign outside the building as Martin and his wife, Louisa (Caroline Catz), pack up to start a new life in London with their young children James and Mary.
‘Martin’s been offered this amazing job as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London. It’s a real honour, and Louisa is very supportive,’ says Clunes, 60.
‘For people who care about the show, it’s dramatic. There are echoes back to the very first episode in this episode. It’s emotional, but very satisfying.’
DRASTIC ACTION
Feelings are running high as the village prepares to lose the GP they’ve grown to depend on and it proves too much for pharmacist Mrs Tishell (Selina Cadell). She climbs on to a removal van in an attempt to prevent the Doc from leaving. But it’s a serious incident at a farm that stops Martin in his tracks.
‘I can’t give too much away because it’s pretty bad,’ says Clunes. ‘It’s a life-or-death emergency. But when the credits roll, everyone’s standing.’
The show has long enjoyed a reputation for attracting notable guest stars, including Sigourney Weaver, who has appeared twice thanks to her real-life friendship with Cadell.
‘Sigourney really wanted to come back. We tried, but there just wasn’t a legitimate reason. It just would have been token, novelty casting,’ explains Clunes.
Although the series ends this week, there will be a stand-alone Christmas special later in the year.
‘The final series ties up and finishes; the Christmas special is an addendum,’ says Clunes. ‘We did a Christmas episode once, but it wasn’t entirely successful! We’ve learnt from that, and are making this one really Christmassy!’