Martin Clunes is back as the curmudgeonly doctor in a new series of the award winning comedy drama for ITV1, Doc Martin.

Martin returns to the role of Dr Martin Ellingham, the grumpy GP whose truculent and tactless manner upsets the convivial community of Portwenn, a picture postcard village on the North Cornwall coast.

Caroline Catz (Murder in Suburbia, In Denial of Murder, The Vice) plays pretty primary school headmistress Louisa Glasson. Dr Ellingham’s clumsy attempts to woo Louisa have so far failed. But could a breakthrough in their turbulent relationship mean wedding bells for the couple?

Martin is joined by a prestigious cast, which includes Stephanie Cole (Housewife, 49, Waiting for God, A Bit of a Do) as his Aunt Joan, who provides him with emotional support in the face of disquiet among the villagers. But even she despairs at his caustic comments, especially when romance blossoms for her with a new man in the village.

Ian McNeice (Rome, Oliver Twist, White Noise), and Joe Absolom (Vincent, New Tricks, EastEnders) star as father and son, Bert and Al Large. With son Al travelling the world, Bert decides it’s time to abandon Portwenn’s plumbing problems and pursue a new career – as a restaurateur, with disastrous consequences.

Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd, Ahead of the Class) plays Pauline Lamb, the feisty receptionist at the doctor’s surgery. She’s bored with her job, and wants new challenges. So the doctor arranges for her to train as a phlebotomist. But a dangerous addiction threatens to ruin her life.

John Marquez (The Trial of Tony Blair, Ronnie Ancona and Co, Suburban Shootout) makes his debut in the series as Portwenn’s new police constable, Joe Penhale.

The guest stars include Denise Black, Louise Delamere, Lucy Robinson, Jeff Rawle, Thelma Barlow and Irene Sutcliffe.

The drama is written by Ben Bolt, Richard Stoneman, Nick Vivian, Jack Lothian and Keith Temple. The producer is Philippa Braithwaite (Staggered, Sliding Doors, Hunting Venus). The director is Ben Bolt (Losing It, Second Nature, Forgotten).The executive producer is Mark Crowdy (Saving Grace, Sorted).

Philippa Braithwaite says: “Viewers can look forward to great story lines and a few surprises along the way in this new series.”