Filming starts on Series 7 of Doc Martin
ITV has confirmed that filming is now under way on the new series of Doc Martin.
Series 7 of the hit comedy drama, which stars Martin Clunes as "Britain's favourite grumpy medic", will consist of eight episodes.
Filming has just begun on location in picturesque Port Isaac in Cornwall with "all regular members of the cast returning".
Doc Martin has built up a big audience since it was launched in 2004. The series attracts more than 9 million viewers in the UK and many more around the world.
Talking about the new series, ITV confirms: "Martin Clunes reprises his role as Dr Martin Ellingham, the GP with a brusque bedside manner and a phobia of blood, in eight new episodes of the ratings winning drama produced by Buffalo Pictures, and set in the idyllic, sleepy hamlet of Port Wenn in Cornwall.
"Caroline Catz plays Doc Martin's wife Louisa. The couple married in the last series, but their marital harmony was short lived. After a life-threatening incident, Louisa decided to take their son James Henry to live with her mother in Spain while they try to work out their problems.
"The Doc is heartbroken by their departure, and realises he has got to make changes if he wants to win them back, and be a family again."
Talking about being back on set, Martin Clunes says: "I'm thrilled to be back on the beautiful North Cornish coast to shoot Series 7 of Doc Martin. The Doc has some serious work to do if he is going to persuade Louisa to come back."
ITV has also confirmed that Dame Eileen Atkins will return to play the Doc's Aunt Ruth, a character who "doesn't suffer fools, just like her nephew". In the new series Aunt Ruth faces a medical emergency, which she tries to ignore but Martin won't let her.
Ian McNeice returns as local restaurateur Bert Large, with Joe Absolom as his tolerant son Al. With the restaurant struggling to stay afloat Bert dreams up another moneymaking scheme.
Meanwhile Al is setting up in business with Ruth. He's renovated her farmhouse and is opening a bed and breakfast to attract tourists for fishing holidays. The first guests are, however, far from impressed.
John Marquez returns to play eccentric local police officer PC Joe Penhale, who often panics and creates more problems than he solves as he attempts to instill law and order into the community. In the new series he is getting to grips with a newly issued Taser gun, with disastrous consequences.
Additionally, Jessica Ransom is back as receptionist Morwenna Newcross, who is looking for a pay rise for trying to keep the doctor in line.
Port Isaac always attracts a crowd when the comedy is filming there (Series 6 set report) and, this time, more than 800 local people turned up to audition for extras roles.
ITV explain: "As the doors of the church hall opened for the auditions there was a queue of 150 babies in prams and pushchairs hoping to be selected for the role of 11-month-old James Henry, the son of Doc Martin and Louisa."
The episodes in the new series have been written by Jack Lothian, Richard Stoneman and Julian Unthank, with Nigel Cole, Charles Palmer and Ben Gregor sharing directing duties.
ITV's Steve November says: "We're delighted Doc Martin is returning to ITV. Martin has created a unique and very watchable character who, for all his faults, is hugely appreciated by the audience."
The new series of Doc Martin will be shown on ITV later this year, with broadcasts in countries including Africa, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Italy, Russia, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Sweden, Uruguay and Venezuela planned for after that. Other countries, including the United States where the show is very popular, are also expected to take up the broadcast rights.