LOS ANGELES — Fox is keeping the doctor in. The network officially announced today that it has renewed its hit freshman medical dramedy, Best Medicine, for a second season. The pickup comes after the series, starring Josh Charles, emerged as a cornerstone of Fox’s midseason lineup, delivering some of the network’s strongest multi-platform ratings this year.
The 12-episode second season is slated for the 2026–2027 broadcast cycle.
A Prescription for Success
Based on the long-running British hit Doc Martin, the American reimagining follows Dr. Martin Best (Charles), a world-class vascular surgeon whose brilliant career in Boston came to a screeching halt after developing a debilitating fear of blood. The first season tracked his prickly transition to life as a general practitioner in the eccentric, seaside village of Port Wenn, Maine.
According to network data, the series premiere reached 12.6 million total multi-platform viewers, ranking as one of the top two drama debuts of the season. Critically, the show has managed a rare feat in modern linear television: growing its audience week-over-week as viewers became hooked on the “will-they-won’t-they” tension between Dr. Best and local schoolteacher Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer).
Returning Cast and Creative Team
The renewal ensures the return of the show’s ensemble cast, which has been praised for its chemistry:
- Josh Charles as the socially inept Dr. Martin Best
- Abigail Spencer as Louisa Gavin
- Annie Potts as Aunt Sarah
- Josh Segarra as the over-eager Sheriff Mark Mylow
- Cree as the social-media-obsessed receptionist Elaine Denton
Showrunner Liz Tuccillo (Sex and the City) will remain at the helm. The renewal news also coincides with high anticipation for the Season 1 finale, airing April 7, and a highly publicized guest appearance by Martin Clunes—the star of the original UK series—who portrays Martin’s father.
Why It Matters for Fox
The renewal of Best Medicine follows Fox’s recent multi-season commitment to The Floor and the renewal of Animal Control, signaling a strategy focused on “owned” content and reliable dramedies. While the network has said goodbye to long-running staples like 9-1-1: Lone Star this year, Best Medicine appears to be the successful “shot in the arm” the network needed to anchor its Tuesday night block.
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