Get ready for a delicious dose of irony! Fox's upcoming series, 'Best Medicine,' is about to get a whole lot more interesting, and perhaps a little controversial, with its latest casting choice. The show, which is based on the beloved British dramedy 'Doc Martin,' is bringing in the original 'Doc Martin' himself! But here's the twist...
Martin Clunes, the actor who embodied the curmudgeonly-yet-lovable Dr. Martin Ellingham for ten seasons of 'Doc Martin,' is joining the 'Best Medicine' cast. However, and this is the part most people miss, he won't be reprising his iconic role. Instead, Clunes will be playing Dr. Robert Best, the father of the new show's lead character, Dr. Martin Best, played by Josh Charles. Talk about a meta-casting move!
So, what kind of character is Dr. Robert Best? Well, imagine a gastroenterologist who's not only accomplished but also incredibly stubborn. We're talking a bedside manner so prickly, it makes his son's seem downright charming. He arrives in the New England town where Dr. Martin Best has relocated after leaving his surgical career in Boston, and let's just say, he doesn't exactly bring sunshine and rainbows. He ruffles feathers, especially those of his estranged sister, who also happens to be Martin's aunt, played by Annie Potts.
But here's where it gets controversial... The official character description hints at something deeper. “But underneath his snobby, stone-cold exterior,” it reads, “Robert is hiding a few secrets of his own that could turn Martin’s new life upside down, and force him to confront his past.” What could these secrets be? Could they involve a past medical malpractice case? A long-lost love affair? A hidden family fortune? The possibilities are endless, and that's precisely what makes this casting so intriguing.
The 'Best Medicine' ensemble cast also boasts talents such as Abigail Spencer, Josh Segarra, Cree, Didi Conn, Clea Lewis, Stephen Spinella, Jason Veasey, John DiMaggio, Carter Shimp, and Cindy De La Cruz. With such a strong supporting cast, 'Best Medicine' is shaping up to be a must-watch midseason series.
The show is being produced by Fox Entertainment studios, with Liz Tuccillo serving as executive producer alongside Ben Silverman, Rodney Ferrell, and Howard T. Owens of Propagate Content, as well as 'Doc Martin' EPs Marc Crowdy and Philippa Braithwaite. This impressive team suggests a high level of dedication to capturing the spirit of the original series while forging its own unique identity.
Beyond 'Doc Martin,' Martin Clunes is known for his roles in the BBC's 'Men Behaving Badly,' ITV's 'Manhunt' (which streamed on Acorn TV in the U.S.), and a 2018 miniseries adaptation of 'Vanity Fair.' He's also set to appear in Emerald Fennell’s upcoming 'Wuthering Heights' feature film.
So, what do you think? Is this meta-casting a brilliant move that will elevate 'Best Medicine,' or is it a risky decision that could potentially overshadow the new show's own merits? Will Clunes be able to shake off his 'Doc Martin' persona and create a truly memorable character in Dr. Robert Best? And, most importantly, what secrets do you think Dr. Robert Best is hiding? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
