U.S. Remake Divides Critics & Fans Of British Original Doc Martin

Only two episodes of Best Medicine have aired so far on Fox, but critics and audiences are already divided over the quality of the new medical show. Best Medicine is based on the British series Doc Martin, which aired for 10 seasons beginning in 2004.

The United States remake just made its debut on January 4 and stars The Good Wife‘s Josh Charles as Dr. Martin Best, who moves to a village in Maine after working as a surgeon in Boston.

Whereas Doc Martin received strong reviews and ratings throughout its run, Best Medicine hasn’t been quite as well-received in the U.S. Interestingly, critics and viewers are in sharp disagreement over the series. On Rotten Tomatoes, Best Medicine currently holds a 73% score, while the audience score is at 38%, which is a 35% difference.

Critics have called Best Medicine quirky and whimsical, as well as formulaic (in a way that works to the show’s benefit). They also singled out lead actor Charles as one of the biggest highlights.

Fan reviews, meanwhile, tell a different story. Viewers who tuned in to Best Medicine walked away feeling disappointed and bored, with some calling the writing and casting choices weak. The fans who had watched Doc Martin claimed Best Medicine is inferior to the original British series.

After airing on ITV for 10 seasons (across 18 years), Doc Martin ended in 2022, with Martin Clunes playing the lead character of Martin Ellingham, a local doctor with a fear of blood who has very little sympathy for his patients.

Similar to other British series like The Office, Doc Martin has been adapted numerous times around the world, including in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Spain. The United States is the latest country to create its own version.

Doc Martin executive producer Mark Crowdy and producer Philippa Braithwaite are serving in similar roles on Best Medicine alongside Jamie Babbit, Tyson Bidner, Jaime Eliezer Karas, Rodney Ferrell, Howard T. Owens and Ben Silverman, with Liz Tuccillo as the showrunner.

Along with Charlies, the Best Medicine cast includes Abigail Spencer, Josh Segarra, Cree Cicchino and Annie Potts.

The latter actress most recently recurred on Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, but Best Medicine‘s production schedule has limited Potts’ appearances on the Young Sheldon spinoff lately. Since she recently wrapped filming, though, Potts is returning to the sitcom in the episode that airs on April 9.

Doc Martin‘s Clunes has been cast in a recurring role as Martin’s father, Dr. Robert Best. Other recurring actors on Best Medicine include Stephen Spinella, Jason Veasey, Carter Shimp, John DiMaggio, Clea Lewis, Didi Conn and Cindy De La Cruz.

Best Medicine is still very early into its first season, so reactions could change in the weeks ahead, but right now, audiences vehemently disagree with the largely positive reviews from critics. Only time will tell if Fox can get viewers on board with its newest series.

Best Medicine airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Fox.