Honestly, walking into the fictional village of Portwenn feels a bit like stepping into a time capsule where everyone is slightly annoyed with each other but would probably jump in front of a tractor to save their neighbor. Most of that magic comes down to the cast of Doc Martin. It’s one of those rare shows where the actors didn't just play characters; they basically moved into them for eighteen years.
When the series finally wrapped up with that snowy Christmas special in 2022, it felt like a genuine breakup for fans. But here’s the thing—people usually only talk about Martin Clunes. While he’s the anchor, the surrounding ensemble is what actually kept the boat from drifting into the Atlantic.
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The Grumpy Anchor: Martin Clunes as Dr. Martin Ellingham
You’ve got to hand it to Martin Clunes. He took a character who is, on paper, incredibly unlikable and made him a national treasure. Dr. Martin Ellingham is rude, abrupt, and has the bedside manner of a cactus. Yet, Clunes brought this subtle, flickering vulnerability to the role that made us root for him anyway.
Did you know the character actually started in a 2000 film called Saving Grace? Back then, he was "Dr. Martin Bamford." He was way more laid back, liked to hang out at the pub, and didn't have a blood phobia. When they developed the TV series, they changed the name to Ellingham—an anagram of the creator Dominic Minghella’s surname—and cranked the social anxiety up to eleven.
By the time the final seasons rolled around, Clunes had perfected that "disgusted sniff." Interestingly, in 2026, Clunes has actually moved on to a US remake called Best Medicine. But he isn't the lead! He’s playing the main doctor's father, Dr. Robert Best. It’s a total meta-nod to the fans who spent two decades watching him scowl at Cornish locals.
Caroline Catz and the Patience of a Saint
If Martin is the anchor, Caroline Catz is the heartbeat of the show. Playing Louisa Glasson (later Ellingham) wasn't easy. She had to balance being a fierce, independent headmistress with being the only person capable of loving a man who thinks a "romantic gesture" is a medical lecture on gout.
Catz actually has a weird real-life irony. Her character is a pillar of the community, but in reality, Caroline is famously allergic to cats—a bit of a bummer considering her stage name.
Their chemistry worked because it was never perfect. They fought. They went to therapy. They lived in separate houses for a while. It felt real. Most TV couples are boring once they get together, but Louisa and Martin’s marriage was a constant work in progress. That’s why people keep re-watching; it’s not a fairytale, it’s a struggle.
The Supporting Players Who Stole the Show
You can't talk about the cast of Doc Martin without mentioning the "regulars" who filled the background of every scene at the Crab and Lobster.
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The Large Family Business
Ian McNeice (Bert Large) and Joe Absolom (Al Large) provided the show’s comedic backbone. Bert was always pitching some harebrained scheme—from selling "Portwenn spring water" to opening a restaurant that barely served food. Joe Absolom, who many remember from his EastEnders days, grew up on this show. We saw Al go from a directionless kid to a husband and business owner.
The Pharmacist with a Problem
Selina Cadell’s Mrs. Tishell is arguably the most complex character in the series. She’s the local pharmacist with a neck brace and a borderline obsessive crush on the Doc. It could have been played as a one-note joke, but Cadell made her tragic, loyal, and occasionally terrifying.
The Police Force (or lack thereof)
Portwenn’s law enforcement was... questionable.
- Mark Mylow (Stewart Wright): The soft-hearted officer from the early seasons.
- Joe Penhale (John Marquez): The narcoleptic, over-eager, and remarkably incompetent officer who replaced him.
Penhale became a fan favorite because he just wanted to be part of the "cool" action, despite living in a village where the biggest crime was usually a stray goat or a parking dispute.
Why the Aunt Characters Mattered So Much
The show changed significantly when Stephanie Cole left. She played Aunt Joan, the only person who could truly scold Martin and make him listen. When Cole decided to move on after four seasons (she famously likes to quit while she's ahead), the writers brought in Dame Eileen Atkins as Aunt Ruth.
It was a brilliant pivot. Where Joan was warm and maternal, Ruth was a retired forensic psychiatrist—just as cold and analytical as Martin. Watching two people who hate emotions try to have a family relationship was some of the best writing in the series.
The 2026 Perspective: Where Are They Now?
As of 2026, the legacy of the show is still massive. Fans still flock to Port Isaac (the real Portwenn), much to the mild annoyance of the locals who just want to buy bread without tripping over a selfie stick.
Most of the cast has stayed busy. Jessica Ransom, who played the colorful receptionist Morwenna, has become a staple of British comedy. John Marquez has been seen in various theater productions, and Ian McNeice is a regular at fan conventions, still wearing his Bert Large charm.
The American adaptation, Best Medicine, which premiered in early 2026 on FOX, stars Josh Charles as Dr. Martin Best. While it’s finding its own feet, the general consensus is that it lacks that specific "Cornish salt" that the original cast of Doc Martin brought to the table. You can’t just replicate the way Martin Clunes looks at a dog. It’s an art form.
Real-World Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking to dive back into the world of Portwenn or are curious about the actors' work beyond the surgery, here is the best way to approach it:
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- Watch the Prequels: If you haven't seen the movies Doc Martin (2001) and Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie, do it. It’s wild to see Clunes playing a version of the character who actually smiles and has a social life.
- Follow the Producers: Philippa Braithwaite, the show's producer, is actually Martin Clunes' wife. They have a production company called Buffalo Pictures. If you like the vibe of Doc Martin, check out their other series, Manhunt. It’s much darker, but the quality is just as high.
- The Port Isaac Pilgrimage: If you visit the filming locations, remember that "Fern Cottage" (the Doc’s house) is a private residence and often available as a holiday rental. Just don't expect a grumpy doctor to be inside when you knock.
The show worked because it didn't try to be trendy. It was about a group of eccentric, flawed people trying to live together in a beautiful, isolated place. That kind of storytelling doesn't age, and neither does the brilliant work of the cast.