Martin Clunes plays the titular grumpy GP Doc Martin Ellingham, with Caroline Catz as his wife Louisa Glasson and Ian McNeice as the village pharmacist Bert Large.
Main cast
- Dr. Martin EllinghamMartin Clunes1–10Main
- Louisa Glasson / EllinghamCaroline Catz1–10Main
- Pauline Lamb (series 1–4), Morwenna Newcross (series 5–10)Katherine Parkinson1–4Main
- Bert LargeIan McNeice1–10Main
- Al LargeJoe Absolom1–10Main
- Mrs. Lisa TishellSelina Cadell1–10Main
- PC Joe Penhale (series 4–10)John Marquez4–10Main
Supporting cast
- Aunt Ruth EllinghamEileen Atkins6–10Supp
- Dr. Edith MontgomeryLiza Tarbuck6–8Supp
- Danny SteelRichard Hope1–3Supp
- Chris Parsons (series 1–3)Stewart Wright1–3Supp
- Mark MylowMartin Clunes (voice only, seen in flashback)1Supp
Guest & voice
- Jackie GlassonCharlie Booty2Guest
- Dr. John SlaterSteven Pinder1Guest
- Roger FennJohn Wood3Guest
No matches — try another name.
About this cast
Doc Martin is a comedy-drama series set in the fictional Cornish village of Portwenn. It stars Martin Clunes as Dr. Martin Ellingham, a brilliant but socially awkward GP with a fear of blood, who moves from London to take over the local practice.
FAQs
Who plays the lead character Martin Ellingham in Doc Martin?
Martin Clunes plays Dr. Martin Ellingham.
Is Doc Martin based on a real person?
The character is loosely inspired by Dr. Martin Bamford, a real GP who had a phobia of blood, as featured in a BBC documentary. The show’s creator Dominic Minghella developed the idea from that.
Where is Doc Martin filmed?
The exteriors are filmed in the Cornish village of Port Isaac, which stands in for the fictional Portwenn. Interiors are filmed at studios near Bristol.
How many series of Doc Martin are there?
There are ten series, broadcast between 2004 and 2022, plus several specials.
Does Doc Martin get married?
Yes, Martin Ellingham marries Louisa Glasson (Caroline Catz) in series 5, and they have a son, James Henry.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026