Doc Martin - Series 1-5 [DVD]

This is the definitive Doc Martin collection comprising the five series which have been released to date. Doc Martin was aired between 2004 and 2011 and there have been a total of 37 episodes broadcast plus the extended 2006 Christmas Special. However, it seems this set will contain some additional special features such as 'behind the scenes' and outtakes but the Special Edition is not included.

Doctor Martin Ellingham or Doc Martin was formerly a highly successful surgeon in a London hospital, who was forced to leave this job due to a fear of blood. He takes the job of GP in the sleepy Cornish village of Portwenn and is soon finding it difficult to relate to the locals due to what he considers his businesslike approach, but which is interpreted by those on the receiving end as standoffishness and a total lack of empathy and bedside manner. This extends to his personal life and his difficult relationship with the long suffering Louisa since he has very little in the way of people skills and a total inability to express emotion.

Portwenn is one of those places where nothing very significant seems to happen for a lot of the time, but which is inhabited by a gentle range of eccentric locals whom the stories are built around and the whole mix makes for very good and often quite amusing entertainment. Martin Clunes excels as Doc Martin and plays the part with a largely expressionless face except for the odd twinge of exasperation or irritation which occasionally crosses his brow. He has made this part his own and you really cannot imagine anyone else as Doc Martin. There is a very able supporting cast, but the principal characters have varied from series to series.

Although this contains the 5 series of Doc Martin to date, purchasers should be aware that Martin Clunes has recently indicated that there will probably be a sixth series, but that if there is it will very likely be the final series. I would have thought that Doc Martin was one of those scenarios where it was possible to keep producing fresh scripts so personally I am certainly hoping for more!

Update: Good News! The sixth season has now been confirmed and will be aired in 2013

A well-made, well-written, well-acted funny and touching British series. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly entertaining. I'm looking forward to the next series.

Brilliant series, lots of laughs and serious parts too. Great value for money. Martin Clunes plays a great part as usual.