Doc Martin: Martin Clunes says it 'feels like a good time to stop'
Doc Martin first aired back in 2004 on ITV with the show winning viewers' hearts. The series followed the curmudgeonly titular GP Dr Martin Ellingham (played by Martin Clunes) after his move from his big-city life in London to the sleepy fictional village of Portwenn in the West Country. His misadventures and irascible bedside manner have provided fertile ground for comedy over the years with viewers lapping up the show. But what does the future hold for Doc Martin and its lead star?
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Is Martin Clunes leaving Doc Martin?
There’s bad news for Doc Martin fans, the show is sadly coming to an end.
Season 10 is confirmed to be the final outing for the nation’s grumpiest doctor with ITV making an announcement back in 2020 when the forthcoming series was commissioned.
In a sense, Clunes is leaving Doc Martin but the show will be ending with him rather than going on without its lead.
Speaking about the decision to conclude the show, Clunes and writer Philippa Braithwaite said in a joint statement at the time: “We have loved making nine series of Doc Martin.
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“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.”
The pair added: “We will be making the 10th and final series in 2021 and we are very much looking forward to returning to Cornwall to film it.”
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ITV's head of drama Polly Hill said: “I just want to thank Martin and Philippa and everyone involved in Doc Martin, because it’s a brilliant, beautifully made series that has delighted audiences for many years.