Martin Clunes shares fears over 'no jobs' as he offers Doc Martin update
Doc Martin was a huge hit with viewers before coming to an end in 2022 - and fans have been left wondering whether the grumpy GP will ever return to the small screen
Martin Clunes has opened up about the uncertainty of his acting career and the possibility of returning to his role in Doc Martin.
The Men Behaving Badly star shared his thoughts on the precarious nature of the television industry, claiming it is in a "funny state" with a lot of "nervousness" and a lack of "confidence."
Best known for his portrayal of the grumpy GP in ITV's hit series Doc Martin, the actor expressed concerns over his future projects due to the challenges of being self-employed in the acting world.
The popular show, which enjoyed a successful run from 2007 to 2022, saw its final episode air during Christmas three years ago, leaving fans wanting more.
Speaking to i weekend, Clunes revealed: "Television is in a funny state. There's a lot of nervousness, not much confidence. I've been self-employed for so long and there's always a part of me thinking: 'What am I going to do next? I don't have a job coming up. It has ground to a halt'."
Despite the series being a family affair produced by his wife, Philippa Braithwaite, and their company Buffalo Pictures, Clunes seems reluctant to return to the charming village of Portwenn.
He added: "I never got sick of it. There was never a negative thought about it, but it ended quite organically and I sort of don't miss it. It hasn't felt like having a limb off or anything."
Fans of the British hit series can be excited though with a US adaptation by Fox on the horizon, set to debut in the 2025-26 season, although without Martin Clunes taking the lead.
With the title Best Medicine, Josh Charles, known for his roles in Sports Night, The Good Wife, and Dead Poets Society, will be taking the helm as a brilliant surgeon who trades Boston for a quaint East Coast fishing village.
Talking about the original British series, Michael Thorn, president of Fox Television Network, said: "The story of Doc Martin has resonated worldwide with its humanity, originality, and humour, and with Best Medicine coming to Fox, that eccentricity gets a small-town America spin, complete with idyllic charm and absurdity."
Ahead of the UK show’s final season, Martin and Philippa Braithwaite released a statement touching on their astonishment at the show's popularity and how the character "topped the ratings". Nevertheless, they said that it was time to "say goodbye".
They saud: "However, after sixteen years we now feel that the time has come to say goodbye to Portwenn. We will be making the tenth and final series in 2021 and we are very much looking forward to returning to Cornwall to film it."
Martin Clunes enthusiasts can next see him exploring in 'Martin Clunes' Islands of the Atlantic', airing today (Friday, May 16) from 9pm to 10pm on ITV.