Martin Clunes is back in Cornwall as Doc Martin

Martin Clunes is back in Cornwall as Doc Martin

Martin Clunes returns to Cornwall to play the nation's favourite grumpy medic in a brand new series of Doc Martin for ITV.

Martin Clunes reprises his role as Dr. Martin Ellingham, the GP with a brusque bedside manner and a phobia of blood, in eight new episodes of the hugely successful drama produced by Buffalo Pictures and set in the idyllic, sleepy hamlet of Portwenn in Cornwall.

Filming has just begun on location in picturesque Port Isaac with all regular members of the cast returning to the popular series.

Caroline Catz plays Doc Martin's wife and local school headmistress, Louisa Ellingham.

After having therapy to save their marriage in the last series, they face the challenge of living happily together with their baby James Henry.

Martin Clunes says: I'm thrilled to be back on the beautiful North Cornish coast to shoot series eight of Doc Martin. The Doc is as obstinate as ever, but he is trying his best to be a better husband and father.

Returning to the series, Dame Eileen Atkins plays Doc Martin's formidable Aunt Ruth, who is beginning to doubt the wisdom of going into business with Bert Large and his son Al.

Ian McNeice is back to play Bert Large, with Joe Absolom son Al. Bert is desperate to make his home distilled whisky a success, but there's a shortage of customers willing to buy. Meanwhile guests are not exactly flocking to Al's bed and breakfast, and he fears he will have to close the doors for good.

Wedding bells are ringing for unlucky in love PC Joe Penhale , played by John Marquez.

He popped the question to the Doc's nanny Janice Bone, played by Robyn Addison, in the last series and is looking forward to marital bliss. Will the course of true love run smoothly at last for Portwenn's police officer?

There's romance too for the doctor's receptionist, Morwenna Newcross, played by Jessica Ransom. Morwenna and Al have become an item. But there's devastating news for Morwenna when her parents Jack and Tara Newcross return to Portwenn unexpectedly.

Selina Cadell returns as pharmacist Mrs Tishell, whose husband Clive, played by Malcolm Storry, is keen for her to join him on his keep fit regime.

Art Malik guest stars in the new series. He plays John Rahmanzai, a visitor to Port Wenn, who surprises Ruth with information about someone from her past.

Audience figures since the series was introduced in 2004 have averaged in excess of nine million viewers.

Mark Crowdy is the executive producer, Philippa Braithwaite is the producer. The directors are Nigel Cole and Stuart Orme. The writers are Jack Lothian, Richard Stoneman, Julian Unthank, Colin Bateman and Andy Rattenbury.

Doc Martin was recommissioned by ITV's senior drama commissioner Victoria Fea.

Doc Martin is screened worldwide including in the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Italy, Russia, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Sweden, Uruguay and Venezuela.

LINK:	http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/martin-clunes-back-cornw...
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