- Returning regulars include Caroline Catz (Louisa, the gorgeous, misguided mother of the Doc’s baby), Ian McNiece (the jovial, entrepreneurial father figure, Bert), Jo Absolom (the unlucky in love, slowly balding, Al), John Marquez (the dim-witted policeman, Penhale) and Selina Cadell (the Doc’s greatest admirer and knitter of super jumpers, Mrs Tishell)
- Stephanie Cole will not be returning as Aunty Joan
- She may be dead (Aunty Joan, not Stephanie Cole) or may have ridden off into the sunset. Or perhaps she went upstairs at the farm and just hasn’t come down yet
- A new “Aunty” is on the scene – Aunt Ruth, played by Dame Eileen Atkins
- Katherine Parkinson will not be returning as Pauline
- She may be dead (Pauline, not Katherine Parkinson) or may have ridden off into the sunset. Or perhaps she went upstairs at the surgery and just hasn’t come down yet
- A new surgery receptionist is on the scene – Morwenna Newcross, played by Jessica Ransom
- Martin in no longer the (only?) GP in Portwenn
- Dr Di Dibbs (odds on someone will call her DeeDee) is played by Joanna Scanlan
- The good doctor’s husband is Gavin and is played byRobert Daws
- Martin doubts the competence of the new doctor (feigns amazement)
- Guest stars include Julie Graham, Peter Vaughan, Joanna Scanlan and Louise Jameson
Ok, so that wasn’t really more manageable!
Why do they keep knocking off all the good characters? - First PC Mylo and now Aunt Joan and Pauline in one fell swoop. The show was as it's peek in Series, keep rolling downhill.
ReplyDeleteIs that Louise Jameson as in Leela from Doctor Who?
ReplyDeleteYeah, pretty sure it is!
ReplyDeleteNice. I for one am glad they got rid of PC Milo--he was a sad wanker of a character.
ReplyDeleteAs sad as I am to know Aunt Joan and Pauline wont be on the show, I am anxious to see the new characters. Good way to get the Doc to interact with new people and create new story lines with these new characters. I will miss the old characters but look forward to the new ones.
ReplyDeleteLove the series. Overall, well-written and interesting. Glad screechy, unpleasant Pauline is gone. This actress tried to dominate every scene. Nothing interesting about her acting. Such an upstager. Just a louder, more obnoxious Elaine. Too bad lovely Aunt Jo isn't returning. She grounded the narrative and gave it perspective. Cole represents old age with strength, dignity and a certain moral rectitude that keeps the series anchored in a specific culture. One hopes that the stiff, one-dimensional creepy Joe Penhale will be allowed to change. Burt Large, a heart attack waiting to happen, is a delightful character and a good ensemble actor. Doc Martin needs to branch out a bit emotionally. The thin-skinned, crusty brilliant loner portrayal wears thin. Hope the filming goes well.
ReplyDeleteDoc Martin will turn into a dotting father who talks science with his son.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the loss of Auntie Joan is huge - she was truly a solid and lovable character and balance to the Doc's lack of people skills and/or empathy. I would hope that the Doc's character could learn or develop a little more of these characteristics...I waited the whole of season 4 for him to say what he was feeling in the last 5 minutes of the last episode!!
ReplyDeleteVery sad to see Pauline go, but soooo looking forward to the new series. Not a great TV watcher, but Doc Martin is just brilliant.
ReplyDeletePauline, in my opinion was the best receptionist! I didn't care for the snooty Elaine's character. Hope they will make another season. It's WONDERFUL! There's so much they could do with it!
DeleteI thought Pauline was the best receptionist! I didn't care for the snooty Elaine character. Hope they will do another season! There is so much they could do with it! It's wonderful! Also, I don't want an American version. I love this one just the way it is!
DeleteWhy isn't Katherine Parkinson in the new series: money? schedule? just didn't want to be?
ReplyDeleteWhy have they dumped Aunt Joan and Pauline from Series 5?
ReplyDeleteI am glad auntie Joan is gone, but I love Pauline, sad to see her go.
ReplyDeleteWe love the show. Can't wait to see the new series!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love Doc Martin and all the actors. Pauline was great and enjoyed her personality on the show, will miss her. Hope this series continues as this is a fantastic show.
ReplyDeleteLove the show so much! Hate that Pauline is gone! Anyone know why?
ReplyDeleteI am truly hooked on Doc Martin. Our PBS station generally shows Doc Martin on both Thursday and Saturday evenings - same episode twice a week. I find myself watching both times, even though I just saw it. I was disappointed that Auntie Joan is no longer there and that Pauline also left. They will be missed. But am sure the writers and the soooooooo talented actors - old and new - will be just great.
ReplyDeleteMs. Cole - have always loved your character not only in Doc Martin, but in Waiting for God, too. Will look for you in future productions.
Doc Martin is my favorite TV program--so funny, smart and touching. I love all the characters. I was glad to see the first receptionist, Elaine, replaced by the character Pauline--but I imagine the mean Elaine character was a set up for the Pauline character? I don't agree with the previous negative comments about Katherine's portrayal of Pauline. It's the character who is a drama queen, not the actor and Katherine carries it off so splendidly. I also looked forward to seeing what she was going to do next. I will miss Stephanie Cole's Auntie Joan also--she was perfect in the role. I am grateful to have such a high quality program to enjoy and I look forward to each new episode.
ReplyDeleteAunty Joan gave Doc Martin something he needs so badly: love. Joan was a rich and wise character on the show. Aunty Ruth seems to be ailing with a personality similar to Doc's. Joan offered depth, continuity, history and unconditional love to Doc. Who doesn't need that in life? Doc's OCD and autism-like behavior wears thin. That behavior is a sharp contrast to his education where he "gets it." He doesn't get it in life or Portwenn.
ReplyDeleteAunty Joan brought history and unconditional love to Doc. He is so needy about love. He gives so little because he received so little as a child. He exhibits a sharp contrast in life: he "gets it" about elitism and education. He doesn't get the subtle life lessons about love, courtesy, kindness and affection, however. Joan was someone who loved him no matter what...
ReplyDeleteA quick 'google' search ("Doc Martin" and "Stephanie Cole") reveals that Ms. Cole (Aunt Joan) felt 8 yrs (since the series films in Portwenn every OTHER year) was enough for her & it was time to move on to other projects. Looking forward to seeing her in her next production, i.e., "Coronation Street"!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tvovermind.com/doc-martin-itv/stephanie-cole-reveals-left-doc-martin/
So addicted to Doc Martin...Just watched all season 5 in one day,,,Now I hafta wait for 6...What am I to do.....I feel like I am one of the characters,so I guess a break will be good...LOL
ReplyDeleteI want katherine parkinson back. she made the show for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm newly hooked and will no doubt be buying the series. I loved Aunt Joan. She reminded me in all ways of my English/Scottish Mother ... That gaelic shock of pure white hair!
ReplyDeleteAll the actors are so purfect for their roles! I adored Katherine Parkinson she made me laugh out loud. Her tenacity dealing with prune face, ahh, Dr. Matin showed she could handle whatever insult he dished up. I find myself, disturbingly so, screwing up my face back at him .. like I've joined his race. If this is him since 2004, I don't know how I would feel about his last episode not remaining in character. Will I have a smile?
We've watch it all on DVD. Think the characters are great, but I confess I began to wear out on Doc's personality as the most recent season ended. I don't care much for him anymore, therefore I don't care much about him. We'll give it another chance though. It's been too good to abandon. Yet.
ReplyDeleteI love this series. Would love to go to visit the beautiful little fishing village.
ReplyDeleteI love this series but tarting season 5 has gotten me all worked up! I don't get their casting..I get that the actors who play aunt Joan and Pauline probably had other gigs, but the way they wrote them off was so weird! Al doesn't even wonder where Pauline went or seem to care? The woman he is in love with? No explanation? Also, I get that they have to replace characters periodically, but they always feel the need to replace them with someone oddly similar to the last! For example: Elaine/Pauline, the police officers who both are strange and think Martin is their best friend, and now aunt Joan replaced with another "aunt" we've never heard of.
ReplyDeleteIt's okay though i still love you doc Martin!
Couldn't stand old Joan, happy to see her go. She got the send off she deserved in Doc Martin's eulogy i.e., "don't be fat, or you'll pay the price".
ReplyDelete