Martin Clunes plays mordant medic Doc Martin for the comedy drama’s eighth series on ITV.
After last year’s bumpy ride through marital therapy, the Ellingham family’s natural rhythm has resumed and we’re back in the sleepy Cornish village of Portwenn.
- Doc Martin will end after two more series, Martin Clunes reveals
- Martin Clunes: I’m not bossy or posh – I’m nothing like Doc Martin!
- Doc Martin stars Sigourney Weaver and Selina Cadell reveal their 40-year friendship
All the regular members of the cast are reprising their roles. Meet the whole gang, including the guest stars, below…
Martin Clunes as Dr Martin Ellingham
The grumpy GP with a fear of blood is back, and Clunes said his beloved character is “as obstinate as ever, but he is trying his best to be a better husband and father”.
Where do I recognise him from?
Clunes played the laddish Gary Strang in all six series of the 90s sitcom Men Behaving Badly. Since then, his main gig has been Doc Martin – but he’s also set to star as a lead detective in upcoming ITV drama Manhunt, and as an MP in the ITV adaptation of Vanity Fair.
Caroline Catz as Louisa Ellingham
In the new series of Doc Martin, Louisa is facing a dilemma. She’s no longer enjoying her job as a headmistress and she desperately wants to spend more time with her baby son James Henry and husband Martin.
Where do I recognise her from?
You might have seen Caroline Catz playing detective in DCI Banks and Murder in Suburbia, or as a policewoman in The Vice and The Bill.
Eileen Atkins as Aunt Ruth
Martin’s formidable aunt is beginning to doubt the wisdom of going into business with Bert Large and his son Al.
Where do I recognise her from?
Dame Eileen Atkins has had a prolific acting career – from her Bafta-winning performance in Cranford to Upstairs Downstairs, Psychoville and, most recently, her depiction of Queen Mary in The Crown.
Ian McNeice as Bert Large
Plumber-turned-restaurateur Bert is desperate to make his home distilled whisky a success, but there’s a shortage of customers willing to buy.
Where do I recognise him from?
McNeice is best known for his roles in Edge of Darkness and Rome – but you might have also spotted him playing Winston Churchill in Doctor Who back in 2010.
Joe Absolom as Al Large
Al is Bert’s son. He is going through a very stressful time in this series – fearing he may have to close the doors of his bed and breakfast for good.
Where do I recognise him from?
Absolom is perhaps best known for playing Matthew Rose in EastEnders and for appearing in The Bill and Casualty.
John Marquez as PC Joe Penhale
The Portwenn PC popped the question to the Doc’s nanny Janice Bone in the last series and is looking forward to marital bliss. Will the course of true love run smoothly for Joe at last?
Where do I recognise him from?
You might have seen Marquez playing Ray Winstone in BBC1’s In the Club. He’s also made brief appearances in Death in Paradise and EastEnders.
Jessica Ransom as Morwenna Newcross
There’s romance in the air for the Doc’s receptionist Morwenna, too: she and Al have become an item. But there’s awful news for Morwenna when her parents Jack and Tara return to Portwenn out of the blue.
Where do I recognise her from?
Ransom’s most recent works include the comedy Zapped and the children’s show Horrible Histories – for which she won a Bafta for her part as Mary, Queen of Scots.
Selina Cadell as Mrs Tishell
Pharmacist Mrs Tishell is perturbed by the arrival of an American tourist seeking the Doc’s attention.
Where do I recognise her from?
Cadell has appeared in Love, Nina, Lab Rats and The Amazing Mrs Pritchard. She also played a teacher in the 2008 movie Wild Child.
Sigourney Weaver as Beth Traywick
American tourist Beth made her debut in the last series and she’s back at the Doc’s again this year.
Where do I recognise her from?
Sigourney Weaver is a Hollywood actress who guest stars in Doc Martin. She won an Oscar for her role in the Alien sequels and was also in Ghostbusters, Avatar, The Defenders TV series, Galaxy Quest, A Monster Calls… the list goes on!
Art Malik as John Rahmanzai
John is a visitor to Portwenn who surprises Ruth with information about someone from her past.
Where do I recognise him from?
Malik is new to the cast of Doc Martin this series, but you may have seen him in Cold Feet last year as Karen’s millionaire love interest. He’s also appeared in Homeland, Borgia, Indian Summers and Upstairs Downstairs – not to mention his most famous role in ITV’s landmark series The Jewel In The Crown. His film roles include the excellent Bollywood movie, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, which we cannot recommend highly enough.
Caroline Quentin as Angela Sim
Eccentric vet Angela made her debut on the series in 2015.
Where do I recognise her from?
Caroline Quentin is a guest star in the series – and many Doc Martin fans will already know her work, having appeared alongside Martin Clunes in Men Behaving Badly as his lover, Dorothy. She’s also been in Dickensian, Big Bad World, Life of Riley, Blue Murder, Life Begins and Kiss Me Kate, to name a few.
This article was originally published in September 2017
from Radio Times http://bit.ly/2X4Jh1j
