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ITV’s beloved drama series "Doc Martin" is getting a US makeover, but fans of the original should brace for some significant changes. The American adaptation, titled "Best Medicine," will be produced by Fox and will star Emmy-nominated actor Josh Charles, known for his roles in "The Handmaid’s Tale" and "The Good Wife."
While British audiences have come to love Martin Clunes in the role of the grumpy yet brilliant Dr. Martin Ellingham, the US version will see Charles taking on the part of Dr. Martin Best. The show will relocate from the picturesque Cornish village of Portwenn to a charming East Coast fishing village in the United States.
In "Best Medicine," Dr. Martin Best is a gifted surgeon who abruptly leaves his prestigious career in Boston to become a general practitioner in the quiet seaside town where he spent his childhood summers. His transition is anything but smooth, as his blunt, often rude bedside manner quickly alienates the quirky, needy locals. Despite his gruff demeanour, he is the town’s only doctor, making him an essential part of the community he struggles to connect with.
The move to adapt "Doc Martin" for an American audience is part of a growing trend of popular British shows being reimagined for US television. However, fans of the original series will undoubtedly be curious to see how Josh Charles brings his own style to the role of the no-nonsense doctor, a character that Martin Clunes made iconic over nearly two decades.
Credit: Josh Charles. Disney/Steve Wilkie
Fox has not yet announced an official release date for "Best Medicine," but production is expected to begin soon. The network is hoping that the show’s mix of medical drama and charming, small-town comedy will resonate with American audiences just as it did with viewers in the UK.
"Doc Martin" originally premiered on ITV in 2004 and became a beloved staple of British television, running for 10 successful seasons. Martin Clunes' portrayal of the grumpy doctor with a heart of gold won widespread acclaim, and the show’s stunning Cornish setting became a star in its own right.
Whether "Best Medicine" can capture the same magic as its British predecessor remains to be seen, but with Josh Charles in the lead role, it has every chance of making an impact.
