The doctor is in, and it looks like this is going to be a fun ride. FOX is adding Best Medicine, a show based on the British medical dramedy Doc Martin, to its 2025-2026 schedule. And we might have said no to another medical drama, especially one described as a “charmingly complicated one-hour comedy,” but considering the names cast, we’ve got no choice but to add it to our must-watch list.
“The story of Doc Martin has resonated worldwide with its humanity, originality, and humor, and with Best Medicine coming to Fox, that eccentricity gets a small-town America spin, complete with idyllic charm and absurdity,” said Michael Thorn, president of Fox Television Network, in a statement.
So, are you excited about the possibilities? Here’s everything we know:
What’s Best Medicine about?
The show focuses on “a brilliant surgeon who abruptly leaves his illustrious career in Boston to become the general practitioner in a quaint East Coast fishing village where he spent summers as a child.” The original British show was so popular that there were versions all over Europe, including in Spain, France, Germany, and Greece, among others.
Like in all of those adaptations, the new doctor will find it hard to adjust to life in a small town, particularly considering he’s anything but a people person. But “Martin’s terse demeanor masks a debilitating new phobia and deep-seated psychological issues that prevent him from experiencing true intimacy with anyone.” However, “tenacity is the creed of everyone in their small village, and the people who live there may be exactly what the doctor ordered.”
So the synopsis of the show is: “the series follows Martin Best, a brilliant surgeon who abruptly leaves his illustrious career in Boston to become the general practitioner in a quaint East Coast fishing village where he spent summers as a child. Unfortunately, Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, including schoolteacher Louisa Gavin. He quickly alienates the town, even though he’s all they have.
Although Martin can expertly address any medical ailment or mystery in this idiosyncratic town, he’s really just desperate to be left the hell alone. Instead, he keeps getting dragged smack into the middle of their personal chaos, feuds and fantasies. What the locals don’t know is that Martin’s terse demeanor masks a debilitating new phobia and deep-seated psychological issues that prevent him from experiencing true intimacy with anyone. But tenacity is the creed of everyone in their small village, and the people who live there may be exactly what the doctor ordered.”
MORE: Read our Abigail Spencer interview from when she guest-starred in 9-1-1
Who is in the cast of Best Medicine?
Perhaps the best thing about Best Medicine so far is the cast. Josh Charles will play the lead character of Doctor Martin Best, with Abigail Spencer playing Louisa Glasson, “a warm, charming local school teacher who immediately gets off on the wrong foot with Martin Best, yet she’s intrigued by him.” So, basically, the sunshine to his grumpy. If we weren’t in before, that’s it. This seals it.
Josh Segarra is also slated to start in Best Medicine. He will be playing Sheriff Mark Mylow, Louisa’s ex. Expect a love triangle between the three, and hopefully also some friendship between the two men to make it even more complicated. The series also stars Annie Potts as Aunt Sarah and Cree as Elaine Denton.
Recurring guest stars include Didi Conn as councilwoman Geneva Potter, Clea Lewis as pharmacist Sally Mylow, Stephen Spinella and Jason Veasey as the happily married proprietors of The Salty Breeze, Greg Garrison and George Brady, Cindy De La Cruz as the schoolteacher Jeannie, John DiMaggio as the handyman Bert Large, Carter Shimp as Bert’s son Al Large, and Wattson as the stray but loveable Copernicus. And Martin Clunes—from the original show Doc Martin—will make a special guest star appearance as Martin Best’s father, Dr. Robert Best.
When can we expect Best Medicine?
Best Medicine will have a special advance series premiere on Sunday, Jan. 4 (8:00-9:00 PM ET) immediately following the FOX NFL doubleheader. However, the show will have its official premiere on Tuesday, Jan. 6 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) only on FOX.
Photos:
Here are the first-look images for Best Medicine:
And here are many more photos!
The Promos, Trailers, and More:
Watch the official trailer below:
Also watch the cast, which includes Josh Charles, Annie Potts, and more, introduce Best Medicine below:
