Fans STILL can't believe Sigourney Weaver is in Doc Martin
The Alien actor made a cameo in the ITV finale – but she has appeared on the drama before
Doc Martin's series eight finale saw American tourist Beth Traywick returning to the Cornish Surgery for a meeting with Martin Clunes’ titular medic.
Although she first appeared on the show two years ago, viewers still had one question about the character: is that really Sigourney Weaver? Like, the Sigourney Weaver of Alien, Avatar and Ghostbusters? On Doc Martin?
Yes: that was actual Sigourney Weaver in actual Doc Martin. In fact, as she explained to Radio Times earlier this year, she put the filming of Avatar on hold so she could cameo in the ITV drama.
Why? Well, Weaver has a 40-year-old friendship with Selina Cadell, who plays Mrs Tishell in the drama. The two had long wanted to do a show together, and when Weaver revealed on The Jonathan Ross Show that she had always wanted to visit Cornwall, Martin Clunes' producer wife Philippa Braithwaite offered her a cameo on the show.
In 2015 Weaver took up the role of Beth Traywick, a US visitor determined to get prescription-only medicine from a non-complying Mrs Tishell.
So, will Weaver appear once more on the Doc Martin set? Or maybe, just maybe, could we see Mrs Tishell in the Avatar sequel? If antyhing's going to scare the Na'vi, it’ll be her.
Authors
Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.