ITV RECOMMISSIONS HUGELY SUCCESSFUL DRAMA SERIES, DOC MARTIN STARRING MARTIN CLUNES
ITV has commissioned a new series of the incredibly popular, Doc Martin, starring Martin Clunes as Dr Martin Ellingham and set in the picturesque Cornwall village of Port Isaac.
With ratings topping 9 million viewers for the series screened autumn 2009, Doc Martin is considered one of ITV’s most successful drama series.
Eight x 60 minute episodes will be produced in 2011, as the series goes into production every two years due to Martin’s commitment to existing drama and factual projects.
Martin will be joined by a prestigious returning cast including, Caroline Catz (Murder in Suburbia, In Denial of Murder, The Vice) who plays the mother of Doc Martin’s child primary school teacher, Louisa Glasson.
Ian McNeice (Frankenstein, White Noise, paradise heights) and Joe Absolom (P.O.W, Vincent, Eastenders) who star as father and son, Bert and Al Large are also expected to reprise their roles and also John Marquez will be returning in his role as the village policeman.
“Doc Martin is a massive audience pleaser for ITV,” said ITV’s Controller of Drama Commissioning, Sally Haynes. “We’re thrilled Martin has agreed to play Doc Martin for another series and Phillippa and Buffalo are to produce.”
The series is produced for ITV1 by Buffalo Pictures, the independent production company owned by Martin and his wife Philippa Braithwaite (Staggered, Sliding Doors, Hunting Venus), who also produces the series.
“We’re delighted so many viewers enjoy the series, as much as we enjoy filming and producing Doc Martin with the beautiful backdrop of Cornwall. Our vision is to ensure this series continues to be as fresh, different and bold as when we first went into production,” said Philippa.
“Martin loves playing Doc Martin as he’s so loathsome and grumpy and can get away with speaking his mind! But he also loves the fact he’s playing a brilliant surgeon with a blood phobia! That’s a real dilemma for him, and creates enormous conflict for the character. He’s the GP in our fictional Cornish town of Portwenn, because he really can’t cope with the sight of blood,” she added.
Doc Martin is produced for ITV1 by Buffalo Pictures in association with Homerun Productions.
