My daughter, husband, and I are huge fans of Doc Martin, a fabulously quirky and funny British television series. The series (not a mystery series) is set in the present day on a quaint, and beyond beautiful little coastal village. The only problem that we had in watching Doc Martin is that we had to wait between season one (2004), season two (2005/2006), three (2007), and four’s (2009) release dates! (And, we are now waiting for season five!!!)
Doc Martin (played faultlessly by Martin Clunes) is simply put… a curmudgeon. I don’t want to give away too much, so I will just say that he is a brilliant surgeon who has given up his London practice to move to the aforementioned beautiful coastal village. He has done this to become the village general practitioner.
Doc Martin is not only eccentric/neurotic and impersonal – but he even hates dogs! (For those of you dog-lovers who are fans of Martin Clunes, you’ll be happy to know that he loves dogs so much, he hosted a series called Martin Clunes: A Man and His Dogs and he has authored the bestselling A Dog’s Life).
Caroline Catz costars as the absolutely delightful teacher/principal of the village elementary/primary school. Also, Stephanie Cole (from Waiting for God) plays Martin’s (yes, Martin is his first name >>> the villagers refuse to call him Dr. Ellingham!) often-times exacerbated aunt, his source of unconditional love during his youth. Also wonderful in their roles are: his receptionists (Elaine Denham & Pauline Lamb), the local police (Stewart Wright & John Marquez), the father and son plumbers (Ian McNeice & Joe Absolom), and the local pharmacist (Selina Cadell).
I highly recommend the Doc Martin series. The locale is gorgeous, the characters are three-dimensional, the plots are clever and absolutely never dull or slow-paced, and the acting is superb.
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jgodsey says
I absolutely adored the series, I had even ordered the discs from the UK before they were available here.. HOWEVER, over time the series lost its luster because the character NEVER evolved. The man most likely has Asperger’s Syndrome – to me it wasn’t funny anymore. If he were merely curmudgeonly, showing some signs of emotional growth, one could see the couple having a future together…but he doesn’t grow or change and his girlfriend is in for a lifetime of disappointment. At least if they had diagnosed the character with a problem he could work on it, but they just have him being the same person over and over. I’d hit him with a frying pan if he kept pulling that stuff.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
What a shame, Jgodsey, that you don’t like the series. As for Asperger’s Syndrome… Hmmm…
To me, Doc Martin seems to be a highly intelligent/brilliant person who has simply not spent time developing his social skills. As a surgeon, he wouldn’t have needed to deal with his patients. As a GP, of course, he does. The episode that featured his parents gave us a particularly close look at what his childhood must have been like… and explained how he developed into the man he is.
He doesn’t seem to engage in long, one-sided conversations with people, if anything, his answers are rather short and to-the-point. While the next two symptoms aren’t always present in Aspberger’s, he doesn’t have a problem looking people in the eye and his coordination (as a top surgeon) must be absolutely phenomenal.
The expression “doesn’t suffer fools gladly” comes to my mind when I think about his special quirks. To me, he just seems to be a brilliant and very matter-of-fact type of man.
Marina says
I sort of agree with both of you. While I adore the series, it seems he was able to hold conversations and even joke around with a few people in series 1 but in series 2 and 3, he sort of regresses and can’t even joke anymore. I held out hope that some introspection would take place when the parents’ coldness was shown. Unfortunately, he seemed to withdraw even further still. **********SPOILER ALERT****************
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Then when the psychiatrist moved next door to Louisa, I thought a funny/serious dynamic would evolve with the shrink trying to diagnose Doc Martin but it never happened and the couple just seems to have disappeared into the ether. In fact, a lot of characters seem to disappear and that’s disappointing to me. The series is great, no doubt about that. But it could be even greater if they would let the characters evolve and let some of them stay on instead of disappearing the way that they do.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marina, I had to go ahead and add the Spoiler Alert because we haven’t seen that part. Our last season was season 4…
wynell says
I Love Doc Martin, A Clean And Wholesome Show–The Actors Are Awesome, Cannot Wait For Thursday Nights LOL, In Louisiana
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Wynell, our PBS station just wrapped up this latest season.
Bill says
I love Doc Martin. The show goes against all the conventional wisdom that the leading character in a long running show must be “likable”.
However, just about every other character in the show is quite likable and the setting is charming.
The show, however, did take some time to grow on me. In fact, I would say that I wasn’t totally hooked until the second season.
It is amazing how they have made such an unusual show and have managed to (more or less) stick true to the quirky and unusual premise for so long. Usually, gruff characters in TV shows end up having a fairly transparent “heart of gold” that is discovered in the first episode. Doc Martin’s gold heart, if it is there at all, is a tiny nugget barely visible after much (rewarding) searching.
Nevertheless, highly recommended for those looking for something different.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
You know, Bill, I hadn’t thought of it that way… but it is refreshing to find a curmudgeon who doesn’t “see the light” and become a transformed Ebenezer Scrooge.
Ann says
I adore this series. Curmudgeon is a great word for the character. Doc Martin came about after the film Saving Grace was filmed in which Martin Clunes also played a doctor. Craig Ferguson was in this too and it was also set in Cornwall. I lived in Cornwall for several years and the villages are well portrayed in Doc Martin. My first book A Graceful Death was set in an area a little farther down the coast from Port Isaac which was used as Portwenn for the series.
Ann
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ann, Texas must be a huge change from Cornwall!
Eveline says
When did this series start? I have never heard of it? Can I find this in the library. It sounds positively delightful.
Carrie says
Eveline, the first series was broadcast in 2004, the second in 2005, the third in 2007 and the fourth in 2009. You can buy them all on DVD.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I have just added the dates on the entry… I don’t know why I didn’t do that in the first place!
Bill says
A couple of other points probably worth mentioning – the show is not a mystery show.
And, as a warning to the cozy lovers who are attracted to the genre because of the lack of graphic sex, violence, blood, etc, in a later episode there is a scene that some might consider a bit graphic involving the Doc’s aunt with her much younger lover.
Also, some episodes do show some blood (he is a Doctor after all).
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Good point. I will go add that it isn’t a mystery show in the entry. Thank you…
Stephanie says
LOL ; )
Carrie says
Danna, I totally agree with you. I love the Doc Martin series. It is so refreshing to have an intelligent series, with imaginative storylines, set in beautiful surroundings that holds your interest as well as this series does.
I think that Martin Clunes is brilliant in the title role, so much so that I have difficulty thinking of any other actor that would be as good.
I read that series five is going to be filmed this year and so might not be on our televisions until the end of the year or maybe next year. At least there is going to be a series five, I had previously read that the series had been cancelled after series four. I’m so pleased the “powers that be” changed their minds!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I cannot wait until the “powers that be” get the Doc Martin season five series completed. We simply love that show!
Ann says
This is currently running on PBS. I think it’s on Saturday evening – at least in this area it is. You can also rent it from Netflix, some of them are instant view.
Ann
Laura says
(Danna@Cozy Mystery has added the following to this comment: For those of you who have not seen seasons 1 – 4 of Doc Martin: COMING UP::: SPOILER ALERT!)
Ann: Thanks for the extra tidbits of information. Danna: I, too, have loved this series and have been watching it on our local PBS station. So glad to hear that there will be a season five. I would love to see Martin grow as a human being now that he has become a father. The supporting cast is absolutely wonderful. If anyone has a toddler, here is a bit of trivia: Martin Clunes does the voice of “Kipper”.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Laura, you are quite lucky that they are showing it on your local PBS station. It isn’t being shown on ours…
Rho says
I watched all the available seasons on Netflix. Had a great couple of weeks following the story.
Mary says
I enjoy Doc Martin too, I was suprised that Martin Clunes is the voice of “Kipper” the dog which is one of my toddler’s favorite shows.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Pretty neat, Mary. You and your toddler can enjoy Martin Clunes’ work!
Kathy says
We found this series through Netflix and are loving every one of the episodes.
Eveline says
Absolutely delightful to watch. A charming village with all kinds of quirky characters living in it makes this series very easy and interesting to watch. I love it!
Eveline says
Danna, I think I never heard of this series before because my local PBS never bought it. I only discovered it because of your post – for that, I really thank you. I was so intrigued by the comments that I decided to Google it. I couldn’t believe it! – it’s on Hulu tv – for free!
Danna, thanks for keeping us posted.
June says
This series is fantastic! I don’t have to cringe because of a real-life situation that is supposed to be funny. I needn’t hear canned audience laughter. People are not beautiful or thin, with whitened, aligned teeth. They are the people I see around me in everyday life. I look forward to Doc Martin every week, hurrying home from work so I can relax and enjoy the program with nothing else on my mind. I have told my kids and friends to tune in; they agree with me. Please keep it coming. Oh yes, the landscape is breathtaking.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
June, I am so looking forward to the next season of Doc Martin!
I totally agree with you: The lack of the canned audience laughter (a sure-fire way the networks make sure we KNOW the show isN’T as funny as they would like for it to be!), the fact that the people are “normal”… not stick-thin, with whiter-than-white teeth (which I know I have talked about before… some brilliantly-white teeth are simply TOOOO distracting for me!), the absolutely phenomenal setting, and the superb writing make this a must-see show for me.
Babs in Bmore says
We just started watching Doc Martin in Fall 2010 on our local PBS station. Started saving episodes on our DVR & re-watching numerous times so Santa brought us all 4 seasons. We’ve watched them continually & can’t wait until season 5 to air.
Check out the extras footage on “you tube” including interviews with cast plus a segment on Graham Norton’s Show that will stun anyone who has never seen Martin Clunes in plainclothes. He’s a “hottie.” Also read Martin Clunes’s book “A Dog’s Life” written in 2008, a fun read.
Patricia013 says
If anyone is looking for season 1 through 4 Netflix has it. I devoured every single episode. Loved it and am looking forward to seeing season 5. Can’t wait.
Maria K says
My husband and I started to watch Doc on our local PBS station & like others were soon hooked. We purchased all 4 years series and have watched them too many times to count! Martin Clunes is a fantastic actor & so versatile. We also purchased William & Mary & have watched it nearly as much as Doc. Anxiously awaiting Series 5. I wonder if anyone knows if it has started shooting? The reference to Aspergers came from a character who was a psychiatrist in an episode! I have worked in the mental health field and can’t see where that diagnosis could possibly be applied to the doctor. Unfortunately, have recently had dealings with a surgeon whom I found, arrogant, rude, full of himself, a horrible communicator but a very talented practitioner. I certainly wouldn’t want to be in any other relationship with him! He definitely didn’t have Aspergers: just hubris & poor social skills. Perhaps a case of life imitating art.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Maria K, I believe I just encountered the same surgeon who you described (although I’m not convinced about this one being a “talented practitioner”…) His bed-side manners were non-existent, at best!!!
Maria K says
Sad to say I think there are many of them. I don’t know where they get off. Perhaps they had parents like Doc Martin’s. His mother made the wicked step-mothers in fairy tales look sweet. Can’t think of the actress’ name who played his mum but she did a great job. A real ice queen.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Maria K, that would be Claire Bloom. Wasn’t she fantastic as his mother?!?
SARA says
Loved the show and the setting so much, we went to visit it last September. Port Isaac is every bit as beautiful in reality and still unspoiled if you don’t mind all the tourists gawking at the house where the surgery is supposedly located.
The coastal walk is unpopulated and a pleasure.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sara, you lucky lady! That sounds like an absolutely delightful and beautiful vacation!
Maria K says
Yes Danna, you are right it was Claire Bloom! She was great! It gives me chills thinking about her. Was that her I saw in The King’s Speech as well? I believe so. How could Dr. Ellingham be a soft, sweet guy with parent’s like that? Don’t think he spent much time with Auntie Joan for anything to rub off. Much of parenting is role modeled. I have been looking at pix of Port Issac on the internet. I would love to go there. Incidentally, when we visited England made a point to visit the Cotswolds because of the Agatha Raisin series. Beautiful doesn’t even touch it. Thanks Sara.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I haven’t seen The King’s Speech yet, but am looking forward to watching it. You sound like another lucky lady… visiting the Cotswolds is at the top of my list of places I want to visit.
Maria K says
Have no idea whats going with Series 5 but tried to find a place to stay in Port Issac. Couldn’t get anyone to respond. They really hate the tourists that come to see the crew or aren’t in need of tourist dollars. We are going to Hawaii in May instead. Any cozy-type stories set in Hawaii? Did some additional research on Asperbers and learned Doc might have some of those tendencies! Still think he is just a bright guy who doesn’t want to be bothered talking to anyone he considers not his intellectual equal (although doesn’t want to spend time with Edith, who apparently is!). Too much psychoanalysis! It makes me laugh & that feels good!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Maria K, that’s too bad about Port Isaac, but Hawaii doesn’t sound all that bad. >>> Have a great time in Hawaii!
Phyllis says
Look at Port Issac on Google Maps. The place isn’t all that large. It could just be that the crew is taking up all available space during filming.
Maria K says
Thanks Danna. I realized after I wrote yesterday that I sounded kind of whiney. Poor me I have to “settle” for Hawaii. I really want to go back to Europe. I’ve decided to learn more about my French, Dutch, English, Irish, Scottish ethnicity. I wasn’t that into that when I’ve gone before. But I feel very blessed to be going anywhere! I don’t take that for granted, especially in our current economic climate. Hawaii is paradise no question about it. I love to sleep outdoors if possible and wake up and read while the rest of the family dives!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I have to admit that Hawaii would be out for me — if I had to don a swimsuit!
Maria K says
Me too! Just one of the reasons I don’t dive. That and a fear of water. lol
MaryLee says
So…does anyone yet know when season 5 will be available?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I have no idea, MaryLee. Will keep watching for the date, though.
Rebecca says
My husband and I came across “Doc Martin” this past year on the Georgia Public Broadcasting network on Comcast. We became addicted. We love the program and find the characters so funny and so interesting. The village of Port Issac has enthralled us and we hope to make a trip there next year. We recently changed our cable company and alas we no longer receive the GPB network. We are hoping that we can pick up the series elsewhere but we can watch it on the computer. We are anxious to catch up on the epidodes we missed so when the new season comes on we will be able to enjoy it. We live in the USA but love the British sense of humor.
Becky
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Becky,
Isn’t Doc Martin a wonderful show. I truly think of it as a gem! How neat would a trip to Port Isaac be! From what I hear, you had better make your reservations way in advance! Hope you have a great time!
gail says
My husband and I started watching Doc Martin about 7 or 8 months ago. We absolutely love it. It is funny, but not a stupid funny, but everyone has something about them that is either funny, quirky or serious. Like, Doc Martin, who is a doctor that can’t look at the sight of blood, doesn’t show any emotions, and doesn’t have a good way with people. That is why we like it. We love Martin Clunes, his expressions are priceless. When the show is over, it is such a let down because you have to just wait for the next one. It is so different from any show we watch.
Debra says
Do you have any idea when series 5 will run in America? I love Doc Martin and can’t wait to see what happens after the season 4 cliff hanger!
Debra
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sorry, Debra, but I have no idea when they will run the fifth season of Doc Martin.
Last season’s cliff hanger was my favorite of all the seasons’ cliff hangers… It sure did give me hope that Martin might finally “come around”…
Mary says
Hi Debra,
I just wanted to share that there is a blog, docmartinseries5.blogspot.com, that has alot of new info and photos. I believe it is scheduled to begin airing in England on 9/12/11; however, there isn’t any info about the US. I love the series, too, and can’t wait to see it!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you so much, Mary. I truly enjoyed looking through the site!
Susan says
Our local PBS station (Portland, OR) has announced they will begin airing Season 5 in the spring. Check your station’s website; they might have some info there.
Babette says
Love Dr. Martin, can’t miss it! He does show emotion re: when Louisa delivers his baby! In Georgia, episodes kinda mixed up. I have never seen an episode where pregnant Louisa leaves for London and what transpires before that. Any answers? Thanks, Babette
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Babette, you’re lucky that they are showing them in Georgia, although the chronological order of Doc Martin is pretty important…
Judie says
I want to know when the Dr. Martin series will air in Canada – waiting patiently and haven’t heard when.
Andie says
I’ve enjoyed the Doc Martin series ever since it began airing on one of my local PBS stations.
A few years ago it was rumored that BBC America would pick up the show but that never happened. Instead we got something called Footballers Wives or some such. Gah!
The character reminds me a bit of House, played by Hugh Laurie, who exhibits the same misanthropic and at time irascible behavior one might expect from a much older man but is a brilliant diagnostician.
Since seeing the episode with his parents, it is easy to understand why he is so remote and standoffish. Anyone would be with that background.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
So, Andie, you are yet another lucky person who gets Doc Martin through your local PBS station. We do not.
As for Footballers Wives… I don’t know what that show is, but I am assuming it is as entertaining as the North Shore reality show one of the stations currently airs.
By the way, I saw Hugh Laurie on the CBS Sunday Morning show last week… It took me back to when he played Bertie Wooster – and would play the piano. He’s quite an accomplished pianist! (Jeeves & Wooster is yet another British television series that is well worth watching…)
Andre says
We Love Doc Martin, and would like to know if it’s based on a book, or do the writers just make it up as they go?
Thank you
Andre
Danna - cozy mystery list says
That’s an interesting question, Andre. I just assumed that the writers of Doc Martin did what other shows’ writers do… I hope someone knows!
Maria in the U.S.A. says
I am completely enchanted by Doc Martin. I don’t know how he spins his magic, but I am completely mesmerized by it. When will series five be 0n ROKU in the U.S.?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Maria in the U.S.A., I just looked up season five of Doc Martin on Amazon, and see that they don’t have an actual date on their pre-order page. (A lot of time I am able to find out the dates by looking on Amazon, but not this time. Sorry!)
Larry says
Season 5 is scheduled to begin in March 2012 on PBS in Phoenix AZ.
I love the show so much I even watch the re-runs! Just finished seeing the last episode from season 4 less than 30 minutes ago.
Cheers to all you Martinites.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Larry, you’re really lucky to live in an area where PBS shows Doc Martin. My area does not… but we are lucky to have reruns of many other BBC type sitcoms… the same ones they have been showing over and over, and then over again!
Seth says
I have been a devotee of Doc Martin since June 2010 and have watched every series at least once. Even though it’s still re-runs from series 1-4 in the U.S. on APT, I make a point to clear my schedule at 4 on Saturday afternoons. As for the Asperger’s, I can understand where people can get that impression, but to me he just seems like he gets frustrated with the eccentricities of the people he has to deal with, and he’s cold because of his abusive childhood. My GP looks like a porcupine and has the bedside manner of one. Some people are simply blunt, short-tempered and want to get on with life than be bothered with social graces. Doesn’t make them autistic, just people who like being alone to do what they do best.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Seth, I agree with you Re: Doc Martin having Asperger’s Syndrome. “Some people are simply blunt, short-tempered and want to get on with life than be bothered with social graces.” (I know a few really smart people like this!)
Bill says
Season 5 is scheduled to start here in central Oregon (Florence) on Thursday, March 1 at 9 PM Pacific time.
I can hardly wait!
My wife, Linda, and I just returned from a UK trip which included a day-long visit to Port Isaac (Port Wenn). Our off-season trip was great with, almost no other “tourists” around. We could have stayed that night right in the center of town, but chose to start heading back towards London for out trip home two days later.
Very narrow streets with just enough room for 1 car wide!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bill, you are so lucky that Doc Martin shows in your neck of the country.
Off-season trips are the ONLY way to go! Schools in session sure make it a pleasure traveling!!! How neat that you and your wife were able to enjoy Port Isaac/Port Wenn without all of the tourists other people have commented about…
Myra says
I would like to know what night and time the show is on now. Downton Abbey has knocked Doc Martin off Wed. 9:00pm now on Vision.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sure hope someone up in Canada can help you, Myra. We don’t get Vision TV down here – unless some places do, that I’m not aware of.
Elise says
I have just finished Season 5 and what a marvelous series! We enjoyed every minute. Now, is there going to be a Series 6????
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sorry, Elise, I have no idea if they are making a sixth season, or not.
Sunny says
They have been filming a new series of Doc Martin this summer – to be shown in the UK this autumn. Some of the church scenes were shot in our village.
Regarding your TV suggestions – if “Kingdom” is available I would recommend it. A comedy/Drama about a solicitor in rural Norfolk. Stars Stephen Fry.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks for the info about Doc Martin, Sunny. We are looking forward to the new Doc Martin season.
My husband and I tried Kingdom. Thanks for mentioning it.
Lori says
Hi, I’m not writing a long comment, because it usually isn’t printed. Where do I find The Doc Martin Series?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lori, I know I wrote you a note, but think I forgot to mention that Doc Martin is shown on the PBS stations. They should be starting a new season soon.
Tressa says
Read about the 3 episode “Arthur And George” in
WSJ and watched a not great copy on you tube and see it’s also on daily motion. It’s very interesting that it’s a true story about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Tressa says
Forgot to mention that I put the info on this blog because Conan Doyle is Martin Clune in “Arthur and George”
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tressa, thank you for the Wall Street Journal article! I’ll watch for when this show airs on PBS.
James Tate says
I love your post, but… even though IMDb doesn’t say it’s a MYSTERY, disagree that it’s NOT A MYSTERY. IMO It is a TOTAL MYSTERY show, but instead of murders, Who Killed Who, it’s What Virus is Doc Investigating. There are red herrings, people getting falsely accused, twists, turns, and in the end, Doc tells a long story about WHAT THE REAL illness is, just like mysteries wind up with the usual twisty tale, explaining all the mazy things leading up, so… to me, it’s as MYSTERY as it gets.