FACT SHEET
TITLE: DOC MARTIN
[TV-PG] [CC] [Stereo]
LENGTH: 6/47
NOLA CODE: DOCM
CATEGORY: Drama
OFFERED: Summer 2007, page S1
EXPECTED RELEASE: November 1, 2007
CONTRACT TERMS: Four releases to be completed by October 31,
2009. A release is defined as unlimited use within
seven days.
PROGRAM SUPPLIER: Portman Film & Television
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: DOC MARTIN is a catchy comedy drama that
stars Martin Clunes (Men Behaving Badly) as
Martin Ellingham, whose truculence and tactless
manner causes mayhem in a small Cornish
community. The series follows the celebrated
London surgeon, who unfortunately has developed
a phobia to blood. After retraining as a general
practitioner, he gets a job in the beautiful but
sleepy village of Portwenn replacing their
deceased local doctor. But his abrasive
personality doesn‘t exactly mesh with the pace of
life in Cornwall.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS: A press kit, including a fact sheet, episode listings
and press release will be posted to PBS Connect
and to APTonline.org. Color and B&W
photography is available via email and will also be
posted to APTonline.org. All press kits will be
posted to APTonline.org and PBS Connect
approximately three weeks from date of
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DOC MARTIN /2 FACT SHEET
Contract Confirmation notice. If you need
materials sooner or have questions, please
contact Mike Nadeau at ext. 150.
COPYRIGHT: © 2004 Buffalo Pictures Ltd.
BROADCAST HISTORY: U.S. TV premiere
RELATED MERCHANDISE: There is no DVD available for purchase.
Pledge: If you are interested in pledging this
program and need assistance with premiums,
please contact Kerry Taylor at 617-338-4455, ext.
121.
VIEWER CONTACT: info@APTonline.org
COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT: Mike Nadeau
(617) 338-4455, ext. 150
mike_nadeau@APTonline.org
CONTACT: Mike Nadeau
(617) 338-4455, ext. 150
mike_nadeau@APTonline.org
PRESS RELEASE
A Brash Doctor takes on a Quirky Countryside Town in Britain’s
Acclaimed Comedy-Drama Series, DOC MARTIN
What happens when a gruff doctor flees big-city life to work as a general doctor in a
sleepy, picturesque English coastline town? The cultures clash and the sparks fly in the
new American Public Television-distributed series DOC MARTIN, a catchy, funny
comedy-drama mixing elements of classic British sitcoms with sharp medical drama and
a quirky, lovable cast of characters.
Martin Clune (Men Behaving Badly, Jeeves and Wooster) stars in this new, acclaimed
series. Clune‘s brash, brilliant Dr. Martin Ellingham (nicknamed Doc Martin, much to his
discontent) was once a renowned London surgeon—until a sudden phobia leaves him
paralyzed at the sight of blood. Leaving his old life behind, DOC MARTIN picks up as
Martin heads to his childhood town of Portwenn in Cornwall, replacing their beloved
general practitioner.
The townsfolk of Portwenn are an odd bunch—varying from the doctor‘s young,
incompetent secretary Elaine (Lucy Punch) to the heavyset, good-natured plumber (Ian
McNeice) to the depressed town constable (Stewart Wright) who helps Martin navigate
through the town. There‘s also Martin‘s spirited Aunt Joan
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DOC MARTIN/2 PRESS RELEASE
(Stephanie Cole), a link to his past in Portwenn, and the beautiful town schoolteacher
(Caroline Catz) who catches his eye.
Martin‘s brash and direct style comes into conflict with the easygoing mannerisms of the
townsfolk of Portwenn with unexpected, humorous consequences, as he deals with a
bevy of strange cases and stranger personalities.
A humorous, hearty glimpse into the culture clash between big-city and small-country
living, DOC MARTIN, airing on public television stations nationwide beginning
November 1, 2007, is destined to become a classic of British comedy.
DOC MARTIN, executive produced by Mark Crowdy and produced by Philippa
Braithwaite, was acquired from Portman Film & Television by American Public
Television for syndication to public television stations nationwide.
About American Public Television
For 46 years, American Public Television (APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation‘s public
television stations. APT distributes more than 300 new program titles per year and has 10,000 hours of programming
in its library. It is responsible for many public television milestones including the first HD series and the 2006 launch
of the Create channel featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming. APT is known for its leadership in
identifying innovative, worthwhile and viewer-friendly programming. It has established a tradition of providing public
television stations with program choices that strengthen and customize their schedules, such as Winged Migration,
Battlefield Britain, Globe Trekker, Rick Steves' Europe, Great Museums, Jacques Pépin: Fast Food My Way,
America's Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Broadway: The Golden Age, Lidia's Family Table, California
Dreamin’ – The Songs of The Mamas & the Papas, Rosemary and Thyme, P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, The Big
Comfy Couch, Monarchy With David Starkey, and other prominent documentaries, dramatic series, how-to programs
and classic movies. Press should contact Mike Nadeau at 617-338-4455 ext. 150 or email
Mike_Nadeau@APTonline.org. For more information about APT's programs and services, visit APTonline.org.
###
9/11/2007
EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS
DOC MARTIN
Episode 1: ―Going Bodmin‖
As Martin moves in and meets the locals, he realizes that adjusting to village life is not
going to be smooth sailing. In his sharp suits and flashy car, he‘s a fish out of water. His
first patient is Sir Gilbert Spencer, a retired lieutenant colonel, with an embarrassing
problem – he‘s grown breasts. Meanwhile, it‘s Lifeboat Day in Portwenn, and the harbor
is alive with stalls, fairground rides and a jazz band, but Martin has become the butt of
jokes among the bevy of teenage girls from the village. Just when he thinks the day
couldn‘t get any worse, Martin is forced off the road and into a ditch on his way out of
the village. He‘s rescued by local police constable, Mark Mylow, who takes him home.
But as Martin opens the door, he finds the hall ankle deep in sludgy water. It‘s the final
straw. Martin decides he is not cut out to be a village GP, and decides to tender his
resignation. Can any thing or any one change his mind?
Episode 2: ―Gentlemen Prefer‖
Despite his disastrous introduction to life in the sleepy village of Portwenn, the former
surgeon has decided to stay and give it a go. The waiting room is full with patients
enjoying tea and biscuits served by Elaine. It seems the previous doctor allowed his
patients to treat his office as a drop-in café to share their ailments, but not necessarily to
seek medical treatment. Elaine‘s inefficiency pushes Martin over the edge and he fires
her. News of her dismissal spreads around the village like wildfire, and Martin becomes
universally disliked. The café won‘t serve him, and patients are canceling appointments
and Elaine leaves town and will miss her father‘s wedding. Martin confides in a patient,
telling him about the phobia that prevented him from continuing his surgical career.
Elaine returns in time for the wedding and Martin asks her to return to work, but on the
strict understanding that she adheres to his ground rules.
Episode 3: ―Sh*t Happens‖
Dr. Martin makes his on-air debut at Radio Portwenn, the local radio station and, no
surprise, he's not a natural in front of the microphone. Meanwhile, a nasty stomach bug
is sweeping through Portwenn. People are dropping like flies, and filling Martin‘s office.
Martin decides he must try to track the source of the bug,
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DOC MARTIN/2 EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS
and looks to the public swimming pool. When the pool staff refuses to shut it down,
Martin makes an announcement to everyone in the pool about something dangerous in
the water, creating mass panic.
Episode 4: ―The Portwenn Effect‖
It‘s time for the Portwenn Players Dance, an auspicious event in the village‘s social
calendar, and Bert the plumber is in charge of selling tickets. Louisa buys two tickets
and invites Martin. But Martin doesn‘t dance, and most certainly not at social occasions.
At the office, Martin meets with a patient, Mark the constable, who confesses an
embarrassing dilemma – he fears his lack of success with the ladies has something to
do with size, and wants to hear the doctor‘s opinion of what is ―normal.‖ Later, Martin
makes a house call to the park ranger, Stewart James. The two seem to have a lot in
common until Stewart introduces Martin to his ―friend‖ Anthony, who just happens to be
a six-foot, red … squirrel!
Episode 5: ―Of All the Harbors in All the Towns‖
An old flame of Martin‘s Aunt Joan sails back into her life and whisks her off her feet.
But her suitor, John Slater, is seriously ill with a life threatening heart condition, as Doc
Martin discovers when he insists on running tests on him. Slater wants to rekindle the
love affair with Joan and sail off into the sunset with her. But Martin is anxious for Joan
that she will have to nurse a very sick man. Schoolgirl Melanie Gibson, one of Port
Isaac‘s bevy of teenage beauties, develops a crush on the doctor. He‘s her hero after
he puts her dislocated shoulder back, and stops the agonizing pain she has been
suffering. There‘s romance in the air between Al and Elaine. He‘s always had a soft spot
for her. Thinking that she has split with her boyfriend, Al tries to woo her, by
downloading a special selection of music onto an expensive Ipod for her.
Episode 6: ―Haemophobia‖
The tourist season has arrived in Portwenn. Disgruntled by the invasion of
holidaymakers, Martin grimaces as he makes his way through the crowds. Then he
notices an attractive woman, and stops to stare … at her chest! She can‘t believe it
when he says he‘d like to examine her chest. Martin was actually trying to warn the
woman about the dangers of sunbathing for fear of skin cancer, but his usual abrupt and
quirky manner has caused offense. Gossip about the blood phobia which forced Martin
to terminate his brilliant career as a surgeon seems to have spread round the village like
wild fire. Two patients in the surgery can‘t resist mentioning the ‗b‘ word to Martin. Then
he gets an urgent call from the pub. Bert has had a terrible accident while working there,
and he‘s bleeding profusely.
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DOC MARTIN/3 EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS
The sight of blood pouring from Bert‘s wound begins to trigger the all too familiar
panic attacks for Martin. But on closer examination he realizes the blood is actually
tomato ketchup!