A New House Call: Fox’s “Best Medicine” Brings the Spirit of “Doc Martin” to America [VIDEO]

Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 4, 2026, as Fox officially opens the doors to its most anticipated midseason drama, “Best Medicine.” This U.S. adaptation of the beloved British hit Doc Martin aims to capture the same dry wit, picturesque charm, and medical eccentricity that made the original a global phenomenon.

The Premise: From Boston Heights to Coastal Maine

The series stars Emmy nominee Josh Charles (The Good Wife) as Dr. Martin Best, a brilliant, high-stakes vascular surgeon from Boston. However, a sudden and debilitating phobia of blood—an inconvenient affliction for a surgeon—forces him to abandon his prestigious career.

Seeking a fresh start (and perhaps a place to hide), Martin moves to the quirky, tight-knit fishing village where he spent childhood summers with his aunt. While his medical expertise is unmatched, his bedside manner is another story. Martin is blunt, socially awkward, and deeply uninterested in the town’s local gossip or festivals, leading to an immediate culture clash with his new neighbors.

The Cast and Characters

Fox has assembled a powerhouse ensemble to populate this new “Port Wenn” equivalent:

• Josh Charles as Dr. Martin Best: The prickly, suit-wearing GP struggling with a secret phobia.

• Abigail Spencer (Suits): Plays Louisa Gavin, the warm and patient local schoolteacher who becomes the primary foil (and potential love interest) for Martin.

• Annie Potts (Young Sheldon): Takes on the role of Aunt Joan, a sturdy, salt-of-the-earth lobster woman who remains one of the few people capable of putting Martin in his place.

• Josh Segarra (Abbott Elementary): Portrays Sheriff Mark Mylow, a charming lawman whose friendly advances are constantly rebuffed by the new doctor.

• Cree Cicchino: Stars as Elaine Denton, Martin’s inept and aspiring influencer receptionist.

Fun Fact for Fans: In a passing of the torch, the original Doc Martin star Martin Clunes is set to guest star as Martin’s father, Dr. Robert Best, an abrasive gastroenterologist who makes his son look warm by comparison.

What to Expect

Produced by Fox Entertainment and Propagate Content, and written by Liz Tuccillo (Sex and the City), Best Medicine leans heavily into the “comical procedural” genre. Each episode promises a medical mystery of the week solved by Martin’s sharp mind, balanced by the ongoing “fish-out-of-water” comedy of his social failures.

The series premiere, titled “Docked,” airs on January 4 @ 8PM ET/PT following an NFL double-header, ensuring a massive audience for the doctor’s debut. Following the special Sunday premiere, the show will move to its regular time slot on Tuesdays @ 8PM. starting January 13.

Where to Watch

• Network: FOX

• Streaming: Next day on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.

• Premiere Date: January 4, 2026.

	Best Medicine
	Network: FOXGenre: ComedySeasons: 1Episodes: 13
	Overview Martin Best is 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, and he quickly alienates the town, even though he's all they’ve got.