Following 79 episodes of ITV's medical comedy-drama Doc Martin, Martin Clunes believes there are no further tales to explore regarding the cantankerous GP. While he's enjoyed his appearances as Martin Best's father in the American Doc Martin adaptation Best Medicine, Clunes maintains that the British original has been "comprehensively done."

He revealed that another of his popular programmes won't be returning either. The actor expressed concerns that Men Behaving Badly "just wouldn't be funny any more" in today's climate.

Despite maintaining regular contact with former co-star Neil Morrissey, whom he describes as "one of the key friendships" in his life, there are no intentions to resurrect their on-screen double act: "I don't think it would fly with 65-year-old men talking about Kylie Minogue's bottom."

However, this doesn't signal Martin's retreat into retirement, as he explains he simply cannot afford to: "I just take whatever gig comes along. I have to stay busy because running the farm and keeping the animals fed is expensive."

Martin Clunes as Doc Martin [Martin Clunes as Doc Martin]
Martin says the show won't be coming back

In conversation with Saga Magazine, Martin disclosed that he could potentially return to the US adaptation of Doc Martin, which, like its predecessor, is produced by his wife Philippa Braithwaite: "I get kind of tickled by seeing that show and I think they might get me back for more episodes, which would be fun."

Speaking on ITV's Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh, Martin revealed he's thoroughly impressed with the American adaptation of Doc Martin: "There's a guy called Josh Charles [who plays lead Dr Martin Best], who is really good, and they've just... their first series has been a success so they're going again. It's all shot... It looks like it's in Maine, but it's upstate New York, so it's very pretty."

Martin's most recent screen appearance, however, couldn't be further removed from the picturesque landscapes of Maine. Late last month, he took on the role of disgraced former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards in the two-part docudrama Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards.

Edwards had been amongst the BBC's most highly paid newsreaders, presenting News at Ten for decades. However, in 2024, Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children at Westminster Magistrates' Court in July.

Martin Clunes as Doc Martin [Martin Clunes as Doc Martin]
Martin says he has to keep busy

Martin featured in sequences showing the presenter's "double life", combined with material obtained from the real individuals who originally exposed the story.

Martin explained: "When I heard about the production, I initially thought, 'Blimey, that's bold, but let's have a look'. And it was so intelligent, with such a strong script and a brilliant director, Michael Samuels, so it was a mix of all the things you need to make something good.

"It was also made with the total cooperation of the last boy who Huw Edwards groomed and his family, which was important."

Martin also played a significant part as Mr Earnshaw in Emerald Fennell's take on Emily Bront's classic novel Wuthering Heights. He defended the production against critics who claimed the screenplay had strayed too far from the original 1847 story.

"All art is interpretive and, if this had been another traditional 'Wuthering Heights' adaptation, it wouldn't have got people going to cinemas," he said. "Emerald put the novel back in the top ten and has got TikTokers flooding to Yorkshire."