Martin Clunes is back in Cornwall filming a new series of popular ITV1 drama Doc Martin. Ratings topped nine million viewers for last series in 2009, and after a break to allow Martin to pursue other projects, he's back to reprise the role of the curmudgeonly GP in the picturesque fictional village of Portwenn. Martin said: "I have missed our annual visits to Cornwall, and I look forward to spending the next few months in this beautiful part of the country. I am thrilled to be able to work with such a fabulous cast, and exciting new storylines." Caroline Catz returns to play the mother of Doc Martin’s child, primary school headmistress, Louisa Glasson. Ian McNeice and Joe Absolom are back as father and son, Bert and Al Large, and John Marquez returns to his role as the village policeman, with Selina Cadell as pharmacist Mrs Tishell. Dame Eileen Atkins joins the regular cast as the doctor’s Aunt Ruth, and Jessica Ransom is the new surgery receptionist, Morwenna Newcross. They are joined by impressive guest stars, including Julie Graham (William and Mary), Peter Vaughan, Joanna Scanlan (The Thick of It), Robert Daws (The Royal) and Louise Jameson (Doctors, The Bill). Eight 60-minute episodes will be filmed around north Cornwall coast. The new series begins with Dr Martin Ellingham struggling to cope with new fatherhood, as he embarks on a new chapter of his career, which is set to take him away from the small Cornish village.
