Electus’ Ben Silverman has teamed with Grace And Frankie creator Marta Kauffman to adapt the popular ITV medical dramedy series Doc Martin for the U.S. market.
Produced in the U.K. by Buffalo Pictures in association with HomeRun Productions, Doc Martin centers on successful surgeon Dr. Martin Ellingham, who abruptly leaves his London practice to become general practitioner in the sleepy fishing village of Portwenn, where he spent the holidays during his youth with his loving aunt. But, in the vein of Dr. House, his unique and uncomfortable style immediately rub the locals the wrong way, and once they get a load of his abrasive attitude and lack of bedside manner, he quickly alienates most of the townsfolk.
The series premiered on ITV in the U.K. in 2004 and is in production on its seventh season for broadcast in the fall. The British version and scripted format is distributed internationally by DRG, airing in more than 200 territories worldwide and has been adapted and produced in seven countries including Germany, France and Spain. The series won the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Drama. (Watch a trailer for the show below.)
“We are thrilled to be adapting this hilarious smart show for America,” said Electus chairman Silverman. “Doc Martin has charmed viewers worldwide with its excellent concept and unique style of comedy, and we’re proud to be working with Marta Kauffman on this exciting show.”
Medical dramas were among the most popular genre this past development season, with a number of new series picked up — CBS’ Code Black, NBC’s Chicago Med and Heartbreaker and, to some extent, Fox’s Rosewood.
Friends co-creator Kauffman will executive produce Doc Martin with Robbie Tollin of Okay Goodnight, and Hannah KS will serve as co-producer. Silverman and Sean Canino will executive produce for Electus, for whom John Pollak – Electus’ President of International – initiated and negotiated the U.S. format rights deal with DRG’s Commercial Director Wayne Davison.
“We are delighted to be working with Ben and his team on Doc Martin. It’s rare to connect with other producers who share the same sensibility and vision the way we do,” Kauffman said.
Electus and Silverman have had success with the adaptation of another scripted format, a Venezuelan telenovela, which became the CW’s Jane The Virgin. The company’s scripted portfolio also include Amazon’s pilot Casanova starring Diego Luna as well as Netflix series Marco Polo and the upcoming Flaked series starring Will Arnett.
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