Thankfully for non-residents of Portwenn, Dr. Martin Ellingham isn’t done insulting his patients just yet. Everyone’s favorite curmudgeonly village physician with an ill-timed phobia for blood is back for the next set of eight programs that will make up series 8 of Doc Martin. The new series returns Wednesday, 20 September at 9p on ITV with a broadcast on public television stations in the U.S. not far behind, tentatively, in early 2018.

All regular cast members are returning headed by Caroline Catz who plays Doc Martin’s wife and local school headmistress, Louisa Ellingham. After having therapy to save their marriage in the last series, the Doc and Louisa face the challenge of living happily together with their baby James Henry. Also returning are Dame Eileen Atkins who plays Martin’s Aunt Ruth, who is beginning to doubt the wisdom of going into business with Bert Large and his son Al, played by Ian McNeice and Joe Absolom. Selina Cadell also returns as Portwenn pharmacist Mrs Tishell, whose husband Clive, played by Malcolm Storry, is keen for her to join him on his keep fit regime.

Without divulging too much more of the new series eight storyline, Bert is desperate to make his home distilled whisky a success, but there’s a shortage of customers willing to buy. Meanwhile guests are not exactly flocking to Al’s bed and breakfast, and he fears he will have to close the doors for good. Other story lines, according to producers, will see wedding bells ringing for unlucky in love PC Joe Penhale , played by John Marquez, and the Doc’s nanny Janice Bone, played by Robyn Addison. You might remember that he popped the question in the last series and is now looking forward to marital bliss.

There’s romance too for the doctor’s receptionist, Morwenna Newcross, played by Jessica Ransom. Morwenna and Al have become an item. But there’s devastating news for Morwenna when her parents Jack and Tara Newcross return to Portwenn unexpectedly.

The first to recognize his on-screen character’s shortcomings when it comes to possessing a bedside manner which makes Dr. Gregory House look like Mother Teresa, Martin Clunes says: “I’m thrilled to be back on the beautiful North Cornish coast to shoot series eight of Doc Martin. The Doc is as obstinate as ever, but he is trying his best to be a better husband and father.”

Doc Martin S8 returns to ITV on Wednesday, 20 September at 9p. Public television in early 2018, hopefully.

In: Drama

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