Issuu

Your Weekly Guide to TV Entertainment

January 4 - 10, 2026

Josh Charles stars in “Best Medicine”

Prescriptive comedy Boston doctor Martin Best (Josh Charles, “The Good Wife”) moves to a quaint coastal town in “Best Medicine,” premiering Tuesday, Jan. 6, on Fox. Although he is an attentive physician, Best’s less-than-winning personality makes him a maligned figure in the village he now calls home. But as the townsfolk get to know his quirks and eccentricities, Best finds a way to make himself useful and even forge some connections along the way.

Massachusetts man of ‘Medicine’ American network launches new take on British favorite

By Dana Simpson TV Media

hange is hard to navigate on the best of days, but big, sudden life adjustments have a way of bringing one’s worst fears bubbling to the surface. Unfortunately for Dr. Martin Best (Josh Charles, “The Good Wife”), the main character in Fox’s newest one-hour comedy series “Best Medicine,” the Massachusetts-based medical practitioner has a lot of fears to face. “Best Medicine” premieres Tuesday, Jan. 6, on Fox. Based on hit British series “Doc Martin,” starring Martin Clunes (“Men Behaving Badly”) as titular doctor Martin Ellingham, “Best Medicine” follows an Americanized version of the same plotline. Whereas Ellingham moved from the bustling hub of London to the fictional coastal Cornish village of Portwenn in “Doc Martin,” “Best Medicine” sees Best, a successful Boston doctor in his own right, make an unexpected move to the small seaside town where he vacationed as a child. Although the move itself is hard enough for Best to adapt to, the good doctor has faults that makes it hard for others to accept him in return, regardless of the fact that he is their village’s only doctor. “Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, and he quickly alienates the town, even though he’s all they’ve got,” reads the logline per CTV, which will air the series in Canada. “Although Martin can expertly address any medical ailment or mystery in this idiosyncratic town, he’s really just desperate to be left the hell alone. Instead, he keeps getting dragged right smack into the middle of their personal chaos, feuds and fantasies.” Best is played by Josh Charles, who is known to many for his twice Emmy-nominated portrayal of Will Gardner in the CBS legal/political drama “The Good Wife” as well as for roles such as Cmdr. Gabriel Wharton in Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and teenage student Knox Overstreet in the 1989 Robin Williams (“Mrs. Doubtfire,” 1993) classic “Dead Poets Society.” Joining Charles on screen in “Best Medicine” are Josh Segarra (“Abbott Elementary”) as the town’s sheriff, Mark Mylow; Abigail Spencer (“Mad Men”) as Louisa Glasson, a sweet, well-mannered schoolteacher and possible future love interest for Best; Annie Potts (“Young Sheldon”) as Best’s estranged Aunt Joan, “who is a strong, sturdy, lobster woman who still goes out every day on her boat, and no one better tell her to stop if they know what’s good for them” (per TVInsider); and the mononymous Cree (“Big Sky”) as Elaine, an

Abigail Spencer stars in “Best Medicine” aspiring influencer who wants nothing more than to leave her small town in the rearview mirror. There is also another, very special character in “Best Medicine,” who will certainly look familiar to viewers of the original British series. Clunes, also known as Doc Martin himself, appears in the Fox series as Best’s father and fellow doctor Robert Best. “Robert is an accomplished but headstrong gastroenterologist whose demeanor makes Martin’s prickly bedside manner seem warm by comparison,” writes The Hollywood Reporter writer Rick Porter in an Oct. 13 article. “He arrives in the New England town where Martin has moved after giving up his surgical career in Boston and puts everyone on edge, including his estranged sister and Martin’s aunt.” “But underneath his snobby, stone-cold exterior,” the character description reads, “Robert is hiding a few secrets of his own that could turn Martin’s new life upside down and force him to confront his past.” Clunes’ character in “Best Medicine” is not a far cry from that of Doc Martin, who was also

2| ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA | S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 3, 2026

portrayed as curt, brash and emotionally stunted — albeit an excellent doctor — throughout all 10 seasons of the show. Although the original ITV series ended on Christmas Day 2022 after 18 years on the air, Fox is delighted to be taking up the mantle in some way by paying homage to a beloved series abroad. “The story of ‘Doc Martin’ has resonated worldwide with its humanity, originality and humor, and with ‘Best Medicine’ coming to Fox, that eccentricity gets a small-town America spin, complete with idyllic charm and absurdity,” Michael Thorn, Fox Television Network president, said in a statement. “[Executive producers] Liz [Tuccillo (“Sex and the City”)], Mark [Crowdy (“Saving Grace,” 2000)], Philippa [Braithwaite (“Sliding Doors,” 1998)], Ben [Silverman (“The Office”)] and Rodney [Ferrell (“Stick”)] have done a terrific job adapting this signature character for the Fox audience, especially in casting the terrifically talented Josh Charles as our lead.” Both Crowdy and Braithwaite join “Best Medicine” having worked on “Doc Martin” in the past. Meanwhile, Tuccillo, who co-wrote and adapted the book “He’s Just Not That Into You”

for its 2009 film version, helms the series adaptation of the original British series for American audiences. “Best Medicine” also stars Cindy De La Cruz (“What Doesn’t Float,” 2023), Didi Conn (“Grease,” 1978), Clea Lewis (“American Rust”), Jason Veasey (“Only Murders in the Building”), John DiMaggio (“Perry Mason”), Carter Shimp (“The Holdovers,” 2023), Patch Darragh (“Succession”), Michael Potts (“True Detective”), Ava Bodnar (“I Need Your Love,” 2024), Marita de Lara (“General Hospital”), Charlotte Hacke (“The American Revolution”) and Alana Raquel Bowers (“Dr. Death”), as well as new talent Leah Janae Thomas and Wattson the dog. Don’t miss a doctor’s chance to make a big change when “Best Medicine” premieres Tuesday, Jan. 6, on Fox.

To Be a Part of this weekly publication call Lauren Powell 815-937-3321 for Print and Digital Options

Lunch Special

$2.00 $2.00 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

OFF

Buffet. Dine-in only. Chinese Restaurant Adult buffet only. Offer

Take Out & Online Order – Catering Available Hours: 10:30am-8:00pm 1545 W. Court St., Kankakee, IL 60901 815.936.1888 Order Online: greatwallkankakeeil.com

good for two people.

GREAT WALL 815-936-1888

Must present coupon at time of purchase. Cannot be combined with any other offer. One coupon per customer. Expires 1/31/2026

Soup & Sandwich Mon thru Fri

OFF

Dinner Specials start @5pm Sunday @1pm

for menu take-out order over $20

GREAT WALL 815-936-1888

Take-out only. Excludes buffet. On a single purchase. Must present coupon at time of purchase. Cannot be combined with any other offer. One coupon per customer. Expires 1/31/2026

SM-CL2261822 SM-CL2294809

Have a Pint and a Burger with Friends!

For Good Luck & Laughter!

112 E First St., Aroma Park • 815-937-0246

Monday - Chicken and Noodles Tuesday - Lasagna Weds - Meatloaf Dinner Thursday - Spaghetti Friday - Fish fry Saturday -Steak Special Sunday - Breaded Boneless Chicken Breast

ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA | S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 3, 2026|3

SUNDAY DAYTIME C D1 D2

8 AM

8:30

Movies

9 AM

10 AM

Face the Nation (N)

10:30 Paid Prog.

11 AM

11:30

4| entertainment extra | S aturday , J anuary 3, 2026

The NFL Today (L) (N)

12 PM