Doc Martin season 10: Release date, cast and latest news

The last season of long-running medical comedy-drama saw Dr Martin Ellingham hang up his stethoscope, quitting as Portwenn's GP after his career was scrutinised with regards to his blood phobia.

However, the new series kicks off with Martin Clunes's grumpy medic regretting his decision. Will he be drawn back in to the Portwenn surgery? Though plot details are yet to be confirmed for the season, we can't imagine he'll be able to stay away for long.

Clunes, who has played Dr Martin Ellingham for nearly two decades, recently paid tribute to the series: “I have loved going to Cornwall to make Doc Martin over the last 18 years, and I have looked forward to returning to this beautiful county this year for the 10th and final series."

He continued: "The people of Cornwall, and Port Isaac in particular, have always been so helpful to us when we are making the series."

However, he teased that before that final goodbye happens, the team has "some great storylines for the new season, and for the Christmas special, which I hope Doc Martin fans will love".

Exactly how the season will play out remains to be seen, but we do know it will once again feature a host of guest stars, alongside the regular cast including Caroline Catz and Ian McNeice.

Read on for everything you need to know about Doc Martin season 10.

Doc Martin season 10 release date

Doc Martin season 10 will air on ITV on Wednesday 7th September.

We can't wait!

Will this be the final Doc Martin season?

Yes, the 10th season will be the last ever Doc Martin instalment to grace our screens on ITV, following an announcement from Martin Clunes and producer Philippa Braithwaite (also Clunes' wife).

"We have loved making nine series of Doc Martin. When we launched the series in 2004 we could never have imagined how much our loyal viewers would take to the grumpy Doc like they have," they said.

"The series has avid fans both in the UK and throughout the world and we are thrilled that Doc Martin has topped the ratings every time.

"However, after 16 years we now feel that the time has come to say goodbye to Portwenn. We will be making the 10th and final series in 2021 and we are very much looking forward to returning to Cornwall to film it."

In September 2020, Clunes confirmed that the next season would be the show's last during an appearance on Loose Women. During the interview, he explained that the long-running series was now at risk of repeating itself.

"All good things have to come to an end, and I'm sure there are lots of people who aren't fans of the show who think it's terribly repetitive anyway. But we're at huge pains not to repeat ourselves," he said.

"I just think we've sort of done everything. I mean, it would be so great to just sort of carry on, but I don't think we can keep it as good."

He added: "We've got such a lovely cast, and it's been 16 years. We all sort of bump into each other's children every two years and watch them growing up and flourishing, and just being down there [Cornwall] is heavenly."

But there will be the aforementioned Christmas special to look forward to, and a documentary for ITV, provisionally titled Doc Martin – A Celebration.

Doc Martin cast

Martin Clunes is of course returning as GP Martin Ellingham alongside Caroline Catz as Martin's wife and Eileen Atkin as Aunt Ruth.

Also returning are Ian McNeice (Bert Large), Joe Absolom (Doc's son Al), John Marquez (PC Joe Penhale), Jessica Ransom (receptionist Morwenna Newcross) and Selina Cadell (pharmacist Mrs Tishell).

There have also been several high-profile guest stars during the past nine seasons, including Oscar-winner Sigourney Weaver, who has appeared in two episodes as US tourist Beth Traywick. Fingers crossed that ITV recruit some high-profile celebrities to cameo in this last season of the long-running and beloved show.

Doc Martin season 10 plot

The show has followed the titular GP Doc Martin, played by Clunes, since it first aired in 2004. While his bedside manners were non-existent, he established himself as a valued member of the local community.

He's married to former teacher Louisa (played by Caroline Catz), with whom he has a young son, James, and a cheeky dog called Buddy.

In season 10, Doc is attempting to overcome his phobia, as well as questioning whether he was right to resign. Louisa has also given birth to a little girl, Mary Elizabeth, who Doc is tasked with looking after while she pursues a new career as a child counsellor in his old surgery.

Will Doc settle into his new routine? Or will he decide to pick up his stethoscope once again?

Doc Martin is available to stream on BritBox and season 10 arrives on Wednesday 7th September – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our TV Guide.

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