Doc Martin series 9 drew to a close in November 2019 – and it has been a long, long wait for the tenth series.
So much so, you’ve probably forgotten what actually happened. Worry not, this article will catch you up.
It was confirmed by star Martin Clunes at the start of the year that this series 10 of the much-loved ITV comedy drama will be the final one.
He said at the time: “I think everyone will probably appreciate it is time to finish Doc Martin. But it feels like a really good time to finish.”
Martin has also gone into greater detail about why Doc Martin is ending.
And in a recent appearance on This Morning, he also gave further insight into the producer’s workload.
He explained: “Poor Philippa Braithwaite. I mean, she’s worked on every single script, 84 of them, and none of them are easy.
We don’t want to repeat ourselves.
“You’ve got a main protagonist who doesn’t like anybody and nobody likes him, and then go from there.”
Martin added: “It hasn’t been easy, it’s tough and we don’t want to repeat ourselves, you know?”
‘Series 10 of Doc Martin is really good’
However, while Martin has previously noted production was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, he has also reflected on how that meant extra time was available to work on the show’s scripts.
Additionally, he reckons circumstances have prevailed to produce an excellent closing run of Doc Martin with series 10.
“It’s a really good, strong Doc Martin series,” the former Men Behaving Badly star said.
And while fans will no doubt be disappointed the series is coming to an end after nearly two decades, a Christmas special and a documentary is still in the offing.
Ahead of those Doc Martin bonuses, however – and with series 10 within grasp – here’s a catch up on how things were in Portwenn at the end of series 9.
How did Doc Martin series 9 end?
The Doc’s assessment by the General Medical Council because of his phobia of blood didn’t go entirely to plan.
There had been optimism after it became apparent surgeon Bernard Newton (played by Tom Conti) would monitor the Doc in assisted surgery.
That’s because he was the Doc’s tutor, who had become a friend.
But after Pippa sliced her finger during preparations for Al and Morwenna’s nuptials, both the Doc and Bernard were called into action.
The Doc impressed Bernard by reattaching the digit – but a momentary wobble was still a cause for concern.
Unfortunately, Bernard wasn’t prepared to let the Doc vomiting after the procedure go. And that came after the Doc had to take over from Bernard who struggled himself.
Bernard, suffering with macular degeneration, proposed the Doc keep quiet about it in return for passing him on the assessment.
Did Morwenna and Al get married?
Elsewhere, a detached finger isn’t the only challenge Morwenna and Al faced for their wedding.
Morwenna found out her parents weren’t going to make her big day.
And so she asked the Doc to step in for her dad and walk her down the aisle.
But that wasn’t the most surprising request he was asked for that day.
Julia, who wanted to give the Doc and Louisa a number of puppies from a recently birthed litter, had other reproductive matters in mind.
“I was going to speak to you and Louisa about it privately, but… will you father my child?” she asked.
With Julia having clarified she wanted the Doc to be a sperm donor, Martin made it to the wedding ceremony just in time.
Doc Martin quit
And then the double cliffhanger! Louisa revealed to the Doc she was expecting and they would be having another child.
But the Doc also had news – he’d resigned as Portwenn’s GP after turning down Bernard’s offer.
There was, however, a happy ending among all the bombshells. Viewers saw the Doc and Louisa kiss, with him telling her he loves her.
What will happen in series 10?
ITV has given some hints about how series 10 will pick up again after series 9.
Along with Martin Clunes, Caroline Catz as Louisa Ellingham is confirmed to return.
Also returning for the last series are regular cast members Dame Eileen Atkins (Aunt Ruth) and Ian McNeice (Bert Large).
They will be joined by Joe Absolom (Al Large), Jessica Ransom (Morwenna Newcross) and John Marquez (PC Joe Penhale).
Plus Selina Cadell as pharmacist Mrs Tishell will also feature.
In terms of plot, series 10 sees the Doc attempting to overcome his phobia of blood. And he also ponders whether giving up medicine was the correct decision.
Louisa, meanwhile, is now a child counsellor – operating out of her husband’s former surgery.
His and Louisa’s baby daughter – named Mary Elizabeth – has arrived. And James Henry, their son, is now four!
So with the Doc on daddy duty, he turns to repairing clocks while staying at home.
When does Doc Martin series 10 start?
Series 10 of Doc Martin begins this Wednesday, September 7, 2022. It airs at 9pm on ITV.
There will be a new episode at the same time each Wednesday evening, with a Christmas special in December.
Read more: Doc Martin: Everything we know about series 10 episode one
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