TV Spotlight: BEST MEDICINE BRINGS DOC MARTIN MAGIC TO AMERICA – JOSH CHARLES STARS IN FOX’S CHARMING REMAKE!

Fox’s latest dramedy, Best Medicine, has arrived as the highly anticipated American adaptation of the beloved British series Doc Martin. Premiering with a special advance episode on January 4, 2026, and settling into its regular Tuesday 8/7c slot (with next-day streaming on Hulu), the show has quickly captured audiences with its blend of small-town whimsy, sharp humor, and heartfelt drama. Created and showrun by Liz Tuccillo (Sex and the City), the series relocates the iconic premise to the quaint coastal fishing village of Port Wenn, Maine, where a brilliant but socially abrasive doctor clashes hilariously with eccentric locals.

Josh Charles (The Good Wife, Sports Night) leads as Dr. Martin Best, a top-tier Boston heart surgeon who abruptly inherits a general practice in the seaside town where he spent childhood summers. Martin’s surgical precision and unfiltered honesty make him a medical genius but a nightmare in bedside manner—his blunt diagnoses leave patients stunned, offended, or storming out. “He’s not rude for rudeness’ sake; he’s allergic to small talk and sugarcoating,” Charles explained in interviews, channeling the dry wit and deadpan delivery that made his earlier roles iconic. From barking orders during house calls to dismissing hypochondriacs with savage precision, Martin’s no-nonsense approach sparks endless comedic chaos while hinting at deeper vulnerabilities, including hidden phobias and emotional walls.

Abigail Spencer (Timeless, Rectify) shines as Louisa Gavin, the warm, quick-witted local schoolteacher who becomes Martin’s reluctant ally—and potential romantic spark. Louisa, on the hiring committee that brings Martin to town, immediately clashes with his arrogance, calling him out in public meetings and private confrontations. Their will-they-won’t-they tension crackles: fiery arguments over patient care, accidental team-ups during emergencies, and stolen glances amid small-town gossip. Spencer infuses Louisa with strength and charm, making her the emotional core who challenges Martin’s isolation and slowly chips away at his defenses. “Louisa sees through the gruff exterior to the brilliant, wounded man underneath,” she teased, hinting at a slow-burn romance that feels earned.

The ensemble rounds out the quirky community: Annie Potts (Ghostbusters) as Aunt Sarah, Martin’s no-frills lobsterman aunt who offers tough love; Cree as Elaine Denham, the bumbling but loyal receptionist; Josh Segarra as Sheriff Mark Mylow, adding a potential love-triangle rival; and a colorful supporting cast including Didi Conn, Clea Lewis, and even a guest turn from original Doc Martin star Martin Clunes as Martin’s father, Dr. Robert Best, nodding to the source material.

Filmed in upstate New York to capture Maine’s rugged coastal charm—lobster traps, foggy harbors, and charming village streets—the show balances laugh-out-loud moments (botched procedures, nosy neighbors) with poignant themes of belonging, vulnerability, and second chances. Early reviews praise Charles’ charisma in reining in the cutesy elements, with Variety calling him “charming as a cantankerous small-town doctor” and noting the series’ “lighthearted” take on the original’s sharper edges. Some fans debate its “whimsier” tone compared to the British version’s realism, but the chemistry between Charles and Spencer keeps viewers hooked.

As episodes unfold, Martin navigates town festivals, medical crises, and personal growth—will his honesty alienate everyone, or become the “best medicine” the village needs? Louisa’s persistence suggests romance might heal what medicine can’t. With strong ratings and social buzz, Best Medicine proves remakes can thrive when anchored by stellar leads.

Tune in Tuesdays on Fox—small-town drama has never been this entertaining.