In My Mind I'm Living in Port Wenn, Doc Martin inspired

Doc Martin, nothing to do with the line of shoes, is a tv 'dramatic comedy' from the UK. The man in the title role is Martin Clunes as Doctor Martin Ellingham. His career as a successful London surgeon hits a roadblock when he develops a phobia of blood. The 'Doc' ends up hired as the GP in Portwenn, a fictional Cornish fishing village.

The show is filmed in Port Isaac, North Cornwall. Doc Martin, as he's known to the people in the village, is brusque and has no bedside manner. He's the high-speed city guy thrown into an environment of laid back villagers. He is about symptoms, test results, cold facts, eating sensibly and deadlines while those around him are able to stop and enjoy a leisurely drink at the pub.

The supporting cast of characters is very good as well. Caroline Catz as cheerful, common sense schoolteacher Louisa Glasson, almost immediately gives the Doc more to quiver and quake about as the two try mainly unsuccessfully to forge a romance. Any personal relationship is difficult for Doc Martin. Stephanie Cole is the Doc's Aunt Joan who's sort of a buffer between him and the community. She can serve as a 'translator.' The show doesn't need special effects. It's not in your face or loud. It is character-based. Seasons, or series as they're called in the UK, are far apart. Series 4 aired in the UK, if my information is correct, in 2009. Series 5 begins filming in 2011.

The setting of the show is certainly part of what makes it appealing, and the beauty of the surrounds help to make the doctor himself look so out of place. He is usually the only person wearing a suit, he walks in a very determined, very tight, pent-up manner, eyes straight ahead. All around him is the beautiful coastal village of Portwenn. Looks like circumstances are conspiring to soften him up at least a little. The end of season four something happens that could help with that. Maybe?

Clunes is known in the US for shows such as Men Behaving Badly and William and Mary. He has also done a series on The Islands of Britain which is currently showing on some PBS stations in the USA. Stephanie Cole is known for Waiting for God. Katherine Parkinson plays receptionist Pauline. Be sure to check out Parkinson in the film, Pirate Radio.

Doc Martin began in 2004 and has had four seasons, all of which are available on DVD. A fifth season is scheduled to begin filming in 2011. Countries outside the UK have aired it and the show has been on some PBS stations in the US.

(image from The Telegraph)

On Doc Martin, sometimes when you see the town's name on a sign, it's a little fuzzy if it's meant to be one or two words. Because of this, the T-shirt is available as Portwenn or Port Wenn. It's also available long sleeves or short.

Anything like the on-again, off-again relationship between the doc and Louisa? Hard to say.


In my mind, I'm living in Port Wenn by ImagineMDD
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If I'm not mistaken, Louisa's home says White Rose Cottage on Doc Martin. Turns out that there is a White Rose Cottage that is a "spacious seaside bungalow, situated on the beautiful North Cornwall coast."

The web site says, "Polzeath is a beautiful seaside resort with an excellent surfing beach." We've seen Louisa headed off to go surfing. There are a lot of local landmarks that you could see if you visited Port Isaac that you've seen on the show.

YouTube has lots of videos that people have shot and uploaded. Whatever those buildings are really called, whatever they were called before they now have 'new' names, too. We all know 'Doc Martin's House.' :-) As the people of Port Isaac know, publicity is a give-and-take kind of thing.

Also it mentions that the cottage is only 30 minutes from the Cornwall Eden Project. I've included a link to a lens about that project.

(Image from their web site)

"Since our last count, the number of distinct products you could buy in the Zazzle marketplace was in the billions! No joke. And it's growing fast. Now compare that to how many shirts you could buy at your local department store, or posters from your local art or home decorating store...

"Good news - this means you don't have to be the same as everybody else. Whether that means the shirt you're wearing on your back, or the holiday card you're mailing in December. Dare to be unique we double dare you." -- from the Zazzle web site

Hoping that you love the T-shirt as is, but Zazzle allows you to customize text in hundreds of fonts and millions of colors.

The text and the shirts themselves may be different colors or styles. Change it if you want. Our feelings won't be hurt. Doc Martin may be a little uncomfortable with change, but suit yourself. It's your dream.

One note, pay attention to the description if it suggests that certain shirts tend to run small. I've found this on certain styles particularly after a wash or two. The descriptions usually mention this, and then I like to order a generous size.

In my mind, I'm living in Portwenn by ImagineMDD
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In my mind, I'm living in Portwenn by ImagineMDD
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Beach Car, Beach View by ImagineMDD
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Enjoy this delightful series whenever you like, without watermarks, without being chopped up, on your own television....

Doc Martin: Series 4

He's surly, tactless, self-centered, and uptight--but he's the only doctor in town.

"A smart, gentle comedy with loads of wit and zest" --The Globe and Mail (Canada)

Series 4 Description
After his wedding day disaster, Dr. Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes, Men Behaving Badly) is even grumpier and ruder than before. His former fiancee, Louisa (Caroline Catz, Murder in Suburbia), has left the village to avoid embarrassment. The doctor himself plans to return to London as a surgeon--if he can conquer his fear of blood. But it's hard to leave a place as charming and full of eccentric characters as Portwenn.



Doc Martin: Series 5
Pre-order now! This title will be released on June 5, 2012 and gift wrap is available.

Wow, Julie Graham who played Martin Clunes's on-screen wife in William and Mary (loved that show!) has appeared on series five. She plays the wife of PC Penhale (John Marquez). A while back they did mention that he'd been married.



William and Mary: Seasons 1 & 2

Matters quickly become complicated when Louisa moves back with startling news. Meanwhile, Martin's old flame, Edith Montgomery (Lia Williams), takes a job at the local hospital and sets her sights on the doc. Sparks and rumors fly as patients crowd his office: a shouting oil rigger, the inept local constable, a woman who sees her dead husband's ghost, and a man who eats his own hair. Facing all this, will Doc Martin leave Portwenn after all?

Contains graphic medical scenes.



Doc Martin: Collection - Series 1-4

Doc Martin: Series are available separately



Doc Martin: The Movies