Doc Martin actor Martin Clunes: I’d be delighted to have an OBE for anything

Doc Martin, 9pm, Monday, ITV

THE acerbic Doc Martin returns this week, trying to turn over a new leaf after his marriage breakdown…

 

What happened in the last series?

His relationship with Louisa really deteriorated and at the start of the new series she and their son are living with her mother in Spain. Martin is miserable, but aware enough that if he wants to fix things, he’s got to change. 

How does he do that? 

His Aunt Ruth puts him in touch with a young psychotherapist, Rachel Timoney,and he and Louisa start going to couples therapy, which is as revealing about her as it is about him. It becomes apparent that she has some changes to make in her life too. 

Martin is miserable, but aware enough that if he wants to fix things, he’s got to change

Martin Clunes

So how does it go? 

He’s prepared to do anything to save their relationship, and diligent about them doing the various exercises they are given as a couple by the therapist.

As it progresses and doesn’t seem to be making much impact on them, the therapist says sometimes it is as important to break up well, as it is to stay together well. They both freak at the prospect that this could be the end.

You’re working with some old friends in this series, aren’t you?

Yes, Caroline Quentin plays a holistic vet and the daughter of the previous GP. It was joyous to work with Caroline for the first time in 17 years.

She stayed with us in the house in Cornwall that we rent during filming. When we usually meet we both have our families with us and it becomes a larger thing. But with just Caroline and I together, I laughed like an idiot, the pair of us just laughed like children.

You were appointed OBE recently. Who do you think nominated you for it? 

I think it may have been one of the great fans of the series. They found out what to do and started writing. I found out since, from the charities I support, that they had been approached. But when the envelope with the announcement arrived in the post, I did think it was a speeding ticket.

It had an official stamp with an emblem on the envelope and I thought ‘”Oh no, not again” and I passed it to my wife Philippa to open.

She said, “You have an OBE”. I’d be delighted to have an OBE for anything, services to drama, services to charity, but getting it for services to the Dorset community excites me most about it because it defines who I am, living in Dorset. 

Doc Martin, 9pm, Monday, ITV