Doc Martin officially came to an end on Christmas Day with a festive special marking the last instalment of the long-running and much-loved television show. The final episode saw Doc have Portwenn's grotto closed down because he feared Santa had something contagious, upsetting the children, including his own son James.
As GP Martin Ellingham, played by Martin Clunes, officially bowed out, ITV1 viewers had lots to say. You can read the reaction the last ever episode here.
Bosses announced back in 2020 that Doc Martin would be hanging up his stethoscope after 10 seasons. The final series aired in September with the one-off Christmas special airing over the festive period.
Read more: ITV Doc Martin fans are saying the same thing over the series' final episode
Created by acclaimed screenwriter Dominic Minghella, and set in the sleepy Cornish fishing village of Portwenn, Doc Martin has been successfully airing on ITV since 2004. It follows the life of the grumpy and lovable Cornish GP, Dr Martin Ellingham, who has a brusque bedside manner and a phobia of blood.
However, those who are already missing the show have one last chance to see Portwenn back on screens in a special documentary called Farewell Doc Martin. It will see Caroline Catz, who played the Doc’s wife, Louisa Ellingham, takes viewers behind the scenes of the show to discover the secrets of the ITV drama's huge success. Here's everything you need to know.
Farewell Doc Martin start time
The documentary will kick off on Thursday, December 29 on ITV1. Viewers can tune in to see Farewell Doc Martin from 8:30pm. The one-off documentary will run four one hour and five minutes, wrapping up at 9:35pm.
What is Farewell Doc Martin about?
The documentary will see Caroline narrate an insight into the making of the drama, taking viewers on a journey to discover the secrets behind the show's huge success. Meanwhile, the cast reminisce about the making of the drama, recalling their favourite memories.
Farewell Doc Martin will also capture the poignant last day of filming, as the cast and crew bid a fond farewell to Portwenn (Port Isaac) and to each other. The show’s production designers will show how they transform the picturesque village of Port Isaac, in North Cornwall, while a farm just outside Port Isaac, which has been home to the production, will also feature.
Caroline said of Farewell Doc Martin: "I want to let you in on some of the secrets of Doc Martin, and take you behind the scenes to meet the cast and crew to see just how we make the series. I have mixed feelings, as this is our very last series."
The documentary will also explain how Doc Martin came to be, with ITV explaining: "The documentary reveals how Doc Martin began, in 2004, following the film Saving Grace in which Martin Clunes starred as a GP, Dr Martin Bamford, but a very different character to the grumpy medic in the popular television series.
"Footage from Saving Grace, and from the archives of the ten series of Doc Martin illustrate the journey of one of Britain’s most popular dramas. Producer Philippa Braithwaite, who is married to Martin Clunes, explains how in test screenings of Saving Grace the character most people liked was the doctor. But ITV wanted the lead character to be different."
Speaking of his character, Martin said: "We just struck with the thing of being wrong at every point. It’s wrong to wear a suit in the sea. It’s wrong to drive a car that big in Cornwall."
Speaking of the show's popularity, Martin adds: "I don’t know why I haven’t before, but I’ve enjoyed its success, and the way its caught on in the different countries and the feedback we’ve had has been really gratifying. But the word pride has only just popped into my little brain." For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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