Doc Martin
Aunt Ruth turns detective when Louisa’s dad makes a shock return to Portwenn...
Wednesday, 9pm, ITV Drama
Bert Large’s latest money-making scheme is destined to end in disaster, but, as ever, he doesn’t let that stop him! There are explosive consequences when he tries to force squatter, Ross, out of a valuable vintage caravan. Has irresponsible Bert finally gone too far? Elsewhere, Kenneth Cranham reprises his guest role from 2006 as Louisa’s dodgy dad, Terry…
To say Louisa Ellingham is stunned to find her estranged father in her kitchen making a cup of tea is an understatement! The child counsellor hasn’t seen dad Terry Glasson in years and, given his dodgy past, she’s worried about his return to Portwenn!
Last time Terry popped up in the village, he was planning a robbery. This time, it appears Terry (The Good Karma Hospital’s Kenneth Cranham) is genuinely ill. But this places Louisa’s GP husband in a predicament as, after examining Terry, the Doc is bound by patientdoctor confidentiality.
Rumbled
Unable to tell Louisa (Caroline Catz) what’s wrong with her dad, the Doc is forced to keep his father-in-law’s secrets. But it looks like the truth could be exposed as Martin’s forthright aunt, Ruth, an experienced criminal psychiatrist, realises Terry’s been released from jail on compassionate grounds, and pays him a visit.
‘Ruth’s not met Terry before and is immediately suspicious of him. She’s on to him!’ says
Dame Eileen Atkins, who plays Ruth. ‘She’s sussing Terry out! It’s been fun for me because I’ve known Kenneth Cranham for ever. It’s lovely acting with an old friend!’
Dame Eileen has played no-nonsense Ruth since 2011 and reveals she’s going to miss working on the longrunning series. Yet the veteran actor has put a personal spin on why the show’s ending after 10 seasons…
‘You can’t have somebody acting at 90, so I feel they’ve just finished for me!’ laughs Upstairs Downstairs and Psychoville star Dame Eileen.
‘I feel enormously lucky to have had this gift of being in Doc Martin. It’s been fabulous!’