Martin Clunes starts filming the last series in Port Isaac

Doc Martin will bow out with a Christmas special, it has been announced as filming begins on its last series this week.

Programme-makers Buffalo Pictures are also producing a documentary for ITV, provisionally titled Doc Martin – A Celebration, to mark 18 years of the Martin Clunes comedy-drama.

At the end of the last series the doctor decided, after having his medical career scrutinised by the General Medical Council because of his blood phobia, that he would resign from being Portwenn’s GP. This final series sees him making efforts to overcome his phobia of blood, and beginning to question whether he made the right decision about resigning.

Clunes said: ‘I have loved going to Cornwall to make Doc Martin over the last 18 years, and I have looked forward to returning to this beautiful county this year for the tenth and final series.

‘The people of Cornwall, and Port Isaac in particular, have always been so helpful to us when we are making the series.  We have some great storylines for the new series, and for the Christmas special, which I hope Doc Martin fans will love. 

‘I shall miss Cornwall, and all the lovely people we have worked with. But it is the right time to say farewell to the Doc, and Portwenn [the fictional village where it is set].’

 ITV’s head of drama Polly Hill added: "‘If this really has to be the final series of Doc Martin, we thought we'd also commission a Christmas special! 

‘It'll be sad to see the series come to an end after entertaining audiences on ITV for the last 18 years, but we'll make sure the finale is memorable and befitting such a success story. 

‘Our thanks to Martin Clunes,  [producer] Philippa Braithwaite and the amazing cast and crew for creating such a special series.’

Germany, France, Greece, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Spain have all made their own versions of Doc Martin, while the original has been sold to 138 countries.

Published: 17 Feb 2022