Martin Clunes: From Doc Martin's Guest Spot to Heavy Horses and the Pacific
There are few actors on this planet who manage to carve out a brand as distinctly, and as comfortably, as Martin Clunes. He is that rare breed: a star who is simultaneously a national treasure and a genuinely interesting guy you’d love to have a cold beer with. In 2026, however, Clunes isn't just resting on the laurels of Portwenn's favourite grump. He is undergoing a fascinating brand expansion that stretches from the fog-drenched moors of Yorkshire to the volcanic plains of Papua New Guinea, and all the way back to his beloved Dorset farm.
The Doctor Is In... The Father
The most immediate touchpoint for UK audiences is, of course, the Doc Martin connection. But this time, it’s a glorious, meta-textual twist. Clunes has just reprised his medical persona—sort of. He’s guest-starring in the US adaptation of his own hit show, Best Medicine, opposite Josh Charles. He plays Dr. Robert Best, the "horrible, mean, blunt, rude" father of Josh Charles's character, Dr. Martin Best. Watching the two actors square off is less a father-son drama and more a passing of the torch. Charles, a man who cut his teeth on The Good Wife and Sports Night, had never seen Doc Martin until after landing the role. Having Clunes on set serves as a great bridge for US audiences, lending the new show an authenticity you just can't fake. The episode, aptly titled "Doc Martin," is a masterclass in dramatic tension wrapped in the comfort blanket of a medical dramedy.
The Cartographer of Curiosity
While the scripted work keeps him busy, it’s Clunes' documentary work that truly defines his off-screen persona. He has, over the last decade, quietly become our finest travelling companion on television. The latest series of Martin Clunes: Islands of the Pacific has just wrapped its run, and it is essential viewing. In the second season, which aired in January, Clunes isn't just ticking boxes; he’s immersing himself. Whether he's living among the self-sufficient farmers of the Trobriand Islands in Papua New Guinea, playing their favourite game of cricket, or scrambling over the ash-buried remnants of Rabaul, his wonder is infectious. He has a knack for finding the humanity in the extreme, from the chaotic sprawl of Manila to the hanging coffins of Luzon.
And if the Pacific wasn't enough, he's already circumnavigated the Atlantic. Martin Clunes' Islands of the Atlantic sees him trekking from the jungle-clad "African Galapagos" to the frozen heart of Greenland, taking in Madeira and the Faroe Islands along the way. It’s a relentless schedule that would wipe out a man half his age, but for Clunes, it seems to be the fuel that keeps the engine running.
Hoofbeats and Heavy Horsepower
But you cannot understand Martin Clunes in 2026 without understanding his absolute, unwavering passion for heavy horses. This isn't a celebrity affectation; it's a lifestyle. As President of the British Horse Society, he has long been an advocate, but his 2013 documentary Heavy Horsepower showed the world his soul. That soul, it turns out, is massive, stoic, and surprisingly gentle—much like the Clydesdales he keeps on his farm.
His two boys, Ronnie and Bruce—whom he affectionately describes as "lovable but uncontrollable teenagers"—were the stars of that show. He’s driven a Budweiser team through New Orleans, fished for shrimp on a Belgian Brabant, and logged timber in Worcestershire. This deep-seated love isn't just a hobby; it's the engine behind one of Dorset's most beloved charitable events.
Buckham Fair: A Community on Hooves
Mark your diaries for August 2nd. The Buckham Fair is back. Organised by Martin, his wife Philippa, and a dedicated committee, this isn't just a village fete with some fancy ponies. Over a ten-year period, it has raised a staggering £600,000 for local charities. This year, the beneficiary is the Dorset County Hospital Emergency and Critical Care Appeal.
The headline act for 2026 is a new feature: the Festival of the Heavy Horse, which will bring together Shires, Clydesdales, Suffolks, and Belgians for a day of heritage demonstrations. Expect to see Clunes' own young Clydesdale, Patrick, full of character, curiosity and the unmistakable charm of a horse finding his way in the world. It’s a beautiful, tangible link between the man, his passion, and the land he calls home.
And to add a dash of 90s nostalgia, his Men Behaving Badly co-star Neil Morrissey will be on hand to judge the dog show—including the delightfully specific category of "dog most like Neil Morrissey." It’s that kind of self-aware, gentle humour that makes Buckham Fair feel less like a celebrity endorsement and more like a genuine community gathering.
The Man Behind the Curmudgeon
Of course, life isn't all idyllic countryside and Pacific sunsets. Clunes recently lost a four-year planning battle to prevent a permanent Travellers' site being built next to his home. It’s a reminder that even national treasures have to deal with the gritty realities of local politics and property lines. But if you watch him in Emerald Fennell's recent adaptation of Wuthering Heights—where he plays Mr. Earnshaw with a surprisingly effective mix of bluster and bewilderment—you see an actor willing to step out of his comfort zone and into the wild, windswept landscapes of classic literature.
So, what is the Martin Clunes brand in 2026? It is authenticity. In a world of manufactured personas and desperate reinvention, Clunes simply is who he is: an actor who loves his craft, a documentarian who loves to travel, and a farmer who loves his horses. He has built a commercial empire not by chasing trends, but by inviting us along on his genuinely interesting life. And frankly, in the current climate, that's the most valuable commodity of all.
Key Dates for the Clunes Calendar in 2026:
- January 2026: Islands of the Pacific (Season 2) airs.
- March 3, 2026: Martin Clunes guest stars in Best Medicine.
- August 2, 2026: Buckham Fair, Beaminster, Dorset. Featuring the new Heavy Horse Festival and Neil Morrissey.
- Ongoing: Islands of the Atlantic available to stream.