The upcoming 10th series of Doc Martin will be the show’s last.
ITV has confirmed Martin Clunes will be hanging up his stethoscope after 16 years as Doctor Martin Ellingham, the grumpy yet endeared Cornish GP.
Set in the sleepy Cornish fishing village of Portwenn, Doc Martin first aired in 2004. Filming on the 10th series will begin early next year.
In a joint statement, actor Clunes and writer Philippa Braithwaite said: “We have loved making nine series of Doc Martin. When we launched the series in 2004 we could never have imagined how much our loyal viewers would take to the grumpy Doc like they have.
“The series has avid fans both in the UK and throughout the world and we are thrilled that Doc Martin has topped the ratings every time.
“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.”
ITV’s head of drama Polly Hill added: “I just want to thank Martin and Philippa and everyone involved in Doc Martin, because it’s a brilliant, beautifully made series that has delighted audiences for many years.
“I am pleased that we are making series 10, and sad this will be the last, but respect their decision to bring it to a close.”
Television shows in 2020
Doc Martin has been hugely popular with viewers throughout its run, with the third season of the programme averaging 10.37 million viewers.
It has also been credited with boosting tourism to Port Isaac.
More recent seasons have featured Dame Eileen Atkins as Aunt Ruth and Caroline Catz as Louisa, the love interest and eventual wife of Doc Martin.
Clunes is nominated for best actor at Monday night’s TV Choice Awards for the role.
Doc Martin returns to ITV next year
Additional reporting by PA