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Doc Martin to end after ninth series, Martin Clunes confirms

This a day after the Beeb shelved one of its crown jewels

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ITV comedy-drama Doc Martin is set to end next year after its ninth series.

Martin Clunes has played the cantankerous and uptight-but-brilliant GP who’s be relocated to the fictional Cornish village of Portwenn since 2004.

Rumours had actually been circulating that the upcoming eighth series would be the last, but Clunes himself confirmed there would be another series when speaking to Radio Times.

“We start making [series 8] in spring and it’ll probably be on air in the autumn. So [series 8] is the second to last.”

The show regularly pulls in more than six million viewers making it one of the most watched shows on the channel, so fans are bound to be upset at the news it’s to finish.

Clunes’ Doc Martin moved to Portwenn after developing a fear of blood put paid to his brilliant career as a surgeon.

Despite his abrupt manner leading to many a run in with the locals, he’s earned their respect through curing their ailments efficiently – even if they don’t want to admit it.

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The long-running saga of the Doc’s romance with local primary school teacher Louisa (Caroline Catz) has kept viewers entertained, but will they get a happy ending?

The show’s also earned fans from all over the world, and it was reported last year that Friends creator Martha Kauffman is working on a US remake. Will it ever be able to replace the British one though?

The news come hot on the heels of the revelation another fan favourite, Inspector George Gently, will finish after 10 years.

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Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby star in the period drama as police officers, Detective Chief Inspector George Gently and Inspector Bacchus.

Filming has begun on the final series with Martin Shaw saying:

“It’s wonderful to be coming back to the show.

“We’re a very happy and close company, and working with such friends is a joy.

“I’m excited at being able to bring the series to a proper finale, a farewell that befits such a popular series.”

We’ll certainly miss both shows – it’s the end of an era.


Carena Crawford
Associate Editor (Soaps)

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