‘Doc Martin’ will end after its upcoming 10th series.
ITV bosses are saying goodbye to the long running drama – which stars Martin Clunes as the titular cantankerous Cornish GP – and the final season will start filming in the spring of 2021, with the episodes airing later next year.
In a joint statement, Martin and producer Philippa Braithwaite – on behalf of Buffalo Pictures – said: "We have loved making nine series of ‘Doc Martin’.
"When we launched the series in 2004 we could never have imagined how much our loyal viewers would take to the grumpy Doc like they have.
"The series has avid fans both in the UK and throughout the world and we are thrilled that ‘Doc Martin’ has topped the ratings every time.
"However, after sixteen years we now feel that the time has come to say goodbye to Portwenn. We will be making the tenth and final series in 2021 and we are very much looking forward to returning to Cornwall to film it."
Created by screenwriter Dominic Minghella, ‘Doc Martin’ has been successfully airing on ITV since 2004.
The series has regularly featured Eileen Atkins as Martin’s aunt Ruth, Ian McNeice as local businessman Bert Large and Joe Absolom as his son Al, Selina Cadell as pharmacist Sally Tishell, Caroline Catz as Doc’s wife Louisa, and Jessica Ransom as the surgery receptionist, Morwenna Newcross.
The series is executive produced by Mark Crowdy and produced by Buffalo Pictures.
ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill paid tribute to Martin, Philippa and the hard-working production team and crew who produce the comedy drama.
She added: "I just want to thank Martin and Philippa and everyone involved in ‘Doc Martin’, because it’s a brilliant, beautifully made series that has delighted audiences for many years.
"I am pleased that we are making series 10, and sad this will be the last, but respect their decision to bring it to a close."