The trials and tribulations of Martin Ellingham, a brilliant but socially challenged doctor who moves from London to the picturesque village of Port Wenn in Cornwall.
Cast:Martin Clunes , Caroline Catz , Ian McNeice , Joe Absolom , John Marquez , Selina Cadell , Jessica Ransom , Eileen Atkins , Stephanie Cole , Katherine Parkinson , Robyn Addison , Angela Curran , Elliott Blake , Buffy Davis , Stewart Wright , Rory Wilton , Rosie Ede , Lia Williams
Former surgeon Dr Martin Ellingham arrives in the sleepy Cornish hamlet of Portwenn, replacing the former GP who has died.
Martin's surgery officially opens for business, but patients continue to treat it as a drop-in cafe.
When an epidemic of diarrhea strikes the village the doctor takes immediate action. This, however, does not go down well with the population.
The doctor pays a visit to the forester, who apparently shares his shack with a giant squirrel. Little Peter Cronk gets into trouble over some nest boxes.
An old friend of Aunt Joan's turns up, stirring up old memories. In the meanwhile both Doc Martin and Elaine are struggling with other people's affections.
Word is getting out in the village about the doctor's 'little problem' with blood. When Peter Cronk is hurt concern about him brings Martin and Louisa closer together.
Louisa's old flame, Danny Steel, comes to Portwenn hoping to rekindle their romance. He is furious with Martin for interfering with his mother's move to a nursing home.
When his mother has to go to hospital, Peter Cronk needs a place to stay. The doctor isn't too keen, but Louise is busy with her candidature for headmistress.
Al discovers that Bert is not his natural father; Martin diagnoses food poisoning for a rural family with a mysterious unseen mother.
An old man, inexplicably emanating a horrible stench, consults Doctor Ellingham; and the local radio host, Caroline, seems to have a serious drinking problem.
Martin examines Helen Pratt, but she collapses and dies. Her husband, Phil, is angry with the doctor and blames him for his wife's death.
Martin's cold and difficult parents come to stay with him. He hasn't seen them for seven years, and is puzzled as to why they should turn up out of the blue.
PC Mark Mylow plans to spend his stag night sleeping rough in the woods with Al Large, but gets bitten by an adder. The doctor doesn't have a clue where they are and his only hope lies with the area's park ranger - Stewart.
Season Finale. A Salvation Army member arrives in Portwenn to try to trace a missing woman, Danny asks reluctant girlfriend Louisa to move in with him, and PC Mark Mylow's medical check has a shock result.
The tranquility of Portwenn is disturbed when a group of birdwatchers descends on the village in search of a rare bird.
Martin suspects Louisa may have anaemia. Aunt Joan is forced to receive treatment from Martin after nearly running someone over. The Doc is approached by Alison Lane, who worries about her daughter Delph's behaviour.
Bert Large abandons his plumbing business in favour of running a restaurant. Following the restaurant's opening, several cases of food poisoning occur with Louisa being one of the people affected.
A couple and their son move in next door to Louisa causing problems for her, Martin and the local people. Residents also begin to discover something unusual about PC Penhale.
Mrs Wilson, the hypochondriac owner of the Wilson hotel, forces her attentions on a very indifferent Martin, which makes Louisa jealous anyway. Joan dates a much younger man than her, much to Martin's surprise.
Pauline's gambling addiction finally comes to a head after an explosive confrontation in the surgery.
A mysterious respiratory infection breaks out in the village.
On the day of their wedding, Louisa's bridesmaid is hit in the eye with a party popper; the local florist gets arrested and his shop shuttered.
Life in the beautiful Cornish village of Portwenn has become ever more infuriating for Dr. Martin Ellingham since his and Louisa's heart-wrenching decision to call off their wedding.
Dr Martin Ellingham struggles to deal with Louisa's news. But Louisa is adamant she does not want Martin involved.
Dr Martin Ellingham is shocked to find Louisa and Aunt Joan knocking at his door before the Surgery has opened. Louisa has had a medical scare and wants Martin's reassurance that everything is fine.
Dr Martin Ellingham is called to Louisa's new home after she has a dizzy spell while shifting furniture. Martin urges her to slow down, but is shocked to learn that Louisa has applied to be her school's headteacher again.
A family sues Joan after she traps their highly troublesome child in her chicken coop, after which he develops a mysterious malaise.
Dr Martin Ellingham meets Portwenn's new midwife, Molly, who will be looking after Louisa. Martin is dismissive of her profession, and the two of them do not hit it off.
Dr Martin Ellingham seeks out Louisa to talk about his new surgeon's job in London, but they are interrupted by Bert, who wants to plan a baby shower for Louisa.
Dr Martin Ellingham and Pauline are surprised by the number of patients coming to see him on the last day before his Surgery closes and he moves to London.
Curmudgeonly Martin Ellingham's plans to resume his career as a consultant in London are put on hold with the birth of the son he fathered with his now estranged partner, Louisa Glasson.
The GP returns to his former post at the surgery after the departure of Dr Dibbs, agreeing to stay until a replacement is found.
New receptionist Morwenna Newcross gets off to a bad start after arriving late on her first day, and her hyperactive behaviour leads Martin to believe she is high on drugs.
Louisa's hippie mother Eleanor arrives in the village, immediately taking over Martin's kitchen to prepare a herbal tonic, which she later gives to the baby to stop his crying.
PC Penhale is shocked by the unexpected arrival of his ex-wife Maggie, who appears to have forgotten that they separated years ago and wants to know why he left her.
Maggie gets the all-clear from the doctor and decides she will return to Bude, forcing PC Penhale to take desperate measures to persuade her to stay in Portwenn.
Bert Large's restaurant business is in financial trouble. He can't even afford the food and drink for a charity event to raise money for Florence Dingle's cat sanctuary.
Mrs Tishell decides she can no longer hide her love for Martin and, fuelled by a cocktail of drugs, takes drastic action.
Wedding bells are ringing for the Doc and Louisa. But will the marriage finally go ahead?
It is Louisa's first day back at school and their new child minder, Mel, is late for work. When Mel finally does arrive Martin is dubious about handing James over to this woman who is constantly scratching.
A stranger stops dead in his tracks when he sees Ruth in the village, and later he spies on her when she is having a coffee with Caroline. Ruth is not sure why, but she starts feeling uneasy.
Louisa wants Martin to engage more with James, so she arranges for him to take their baby to playgroup, where he has to pair up with a mother and daughter and sing songs.
Mrs Tishell returns to the village. Martin has to work out what is wrong with beach comber Lorna. Al and Morwenna have an internet dating disaster, and romance is blossoming for Bert and Jennifer.
Hypochondriac Malcolm Rayner is struggling with his breathing and Martin asks him if he has ever worked with asbestos.
Al receives a visit from two military policemen who are trying to track down Baby James's babysitter, Mike Pruddy.
Louisa is leaving for Spain, Bert and Jennifer's engagement party goes off with a bang, and Al is hailed as a hero for saving Caroline's life.
Louisa has gone for a break to visit her mother in Spain and to have some time to think. Martin is faced with the questions: will Louisa come back to him; and what can he do to make sure that she does?
Louisa's return further raises questions about their relationship, perhaps they need to spend more time apart.
Following another disaster at his restaurant Bert takes drastic action and disappears, leading Al to contact P.C. Penhale, though he is more interested in courting Louisa's baby-sitter Janice.
What starts Martin and Louisa to reconcile is how Martin handles a problem with Peter Cronk at Louisa's request.
Reaching breaking point with being followed around by Buddy, Martin resolves to find a vet to have the dog put down once and for all.
Louisa helps out her ex-boyfriend Danny when he brings seven children from London to camp on Ruth's farm - supervised by Al and Bert - while she and Martin plan a date on the advice of Dr Timoney.
Louisa is not best pleased when her new art teacher Erica wants to try out some rather alternative ideas on the children, while Dr Timoney is involved in a car accident outside the school.
Louisa worries Dr Timoney's suggestion that she and Martin aren't meant to be together might have prompted him to leave Portwenn for good.
Martin and Louisa face the challenge of living happily together with their baby James Henry after having therapy to save their marriage. Meanwhile wedding bells ring for PC Penhale.
Martin and Louisa search for a nursery for James and Mrs Tishell is shocked to find that Al has high blood pressure. Louisa explores possibilities of a career change, not welcome news for Martin who dislikes change of any kind.
Louisa takes her students sailing so Martin is left holding the baby. He's always late collecting James from nursery due to long surgery hours. Meanwhile, Al and Morwenna organise an event to save the pub.
Louisa's first Skype call for her new course doesn't go as planned when Martin decides to tell the lecturer his thoughts on the coursework. Morwenna's parents surprise her with a visit from Kenya.
With James teething, Martin and Louisa are desperate for more sleep. In an unusual display of mourning, Mrs. Tishell closes the pharmacy, inconveniencing everyone. Al needs Bert's help to get the whisky business back on track.
Penhale decides to have a police open house to raise community awareness, but the turnout is not what he hoped for. James goes through a biting phase, and Morwenna leaves the surgery for a weekend away with Al.
Al and Morwenna participate in the annual gig race against another town. Louisa buys a new car, and Martin's blood phobia causes a disaster with a patient.
Martin stops practicing the week before his hearing, but patients continue to solicit his advice. An American tourist asks Mrs. Tishell for help, and Penhale commissions a bust of himself.
Martin's medical career remains under scrutiny, as a GMC representative has come to assess him and his surgery. Meanwhile, Al accidentally proposes to Morwenna, and Mrs Tishell has a new lease on life.
Martin is forced to do some refresher courses, while Louisa begins a new career.
Louisa organises a special evening for Martin's birthday, but it doesn't go to plan because of Al's surprise party.
Martin has his second GMC assessment, and Buddy goes missing. Elsewhere, Penhale is upset when his predecessor, Mark Mylow, arrives and tries to take charge
Someone's been shot. Penhale is keen to work out who is responsible.
Martin and Louisa have their first fertility appointment, while Penhale responds to a case of vandalism and gets a free surfing lesson.
Mrs Tishell's young cousin Sarah Cardy shadows her for some work experience.
Wedding bells are ringing in Portwenn with the preparations for Morwenna and Al's wedding. But some last minute hitches threaten to jeopardize their big day.
Martin questions his decision to resign and returns to Portwenn, determined to overcome his blood phobia.
The Portwenn Surgery is open again but things aren't running as smoothly with new receptionist Max Foreman.
Morwenna is back as receptionist and the Ellinghams have a new dog. Martin attends Stewart's survival course, but not as a participant like Al and Penhale.
Martin rubs up against the new herbalist and Penhale, Louisa, and James are all interested in Janice's new pedicure fish. Ruth is back from Mexico with more than maracas.
To say Louisa Ellingham is stunned to find her estranged father in her kitchen making a cup of tea is an understatement. The child counsellor hasn't seen dad in years and, given his dodgy past, she's worried about his return to Portwenn.
Doc Martin's relationship with Louisa has had its ups and downs over the years, and the married couple are tested as never before when his ex Sophie Trent makes a move.
The news of Martin's Imperial College job offer is flying through the village, but the Ellinghams are yet to make a decision - meanwhile, Caitlin blames Bert for the pub flood.
The village are throwing the Ellinghams a farewell party - Ruth is helping Mrs Tishell deal with the news, but it seems that Martin and Louisa aren't going to make it to the party.
Portwenn is full of festive cheer - until Doc Martin cancels the Santa, prompting his portrayer to show "Doc the Grinch" the magic of Christmas, with unintended consequences.
