MARTIN CLUNES ART PROJECT

A Journey Through His Works

Martin Clunes’ journey as an actor began on stage at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, before making his first television appearance in 1982 in the BBC Play of the Month adaptation of The White Guard. A year later, a younger Martin popped up in Doctor Who: Snakedance — a small role, but already a glimpse of his ability to bring unusual characters to life.

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After cutting his teeth in repertory theatre, he found his first permanent ingagement on television in the mid-1980s with the sitcoms No Place Like Home and All at No 20. These early parts might not have made him a household name yet, but they opened doors to a variety of projects — from radio dramas to sketch shows — including his popular collaborations with comedian Harry Enfield.

The real breakthrough came in the early 1990s with Men Behaving Badly. As Gary, Martin struck comic gold, and the role not only won him a BAFTA but also cemented his place in the hearts of British audiences. Around the same time, he added film credits to his career, appearing in The Russia House (1990), Carry On Columbus (1992), and Shakespeare in Love (1998), where he played theatre legend Richard Burbage.

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From then on, Martin showed he wasn’t content to be typecast. He moved with ease between comedy and drama: the mini-series Demob, the poignant Over Here, and the chilling A Is for Acid (where he portrayed real-life serial killer John George Haigh) demonstrated the range of his acting skills. He was just at ease playing the romantic lead in William and Mary (2003–2005) as he was in the darker, more complex role as Dirty Tricks.

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Then, in 2004, came the role of a lifetime: Dr. Martin Ellingham in ITV’s Doc Martin. For nearly two decades, up to 2022, the grumpy GP of Portwenn became part of television history, blending gentle humour with heartfelt drama and winning loyal fans across the world.

Alongside acting, Martin also built a parallel career in voice work and narration. Generations of children know him as Kipper the Dog or Stripy in Little Robots, while adults recognise his warm, thoughtful voice in documentaries such as The Secret Life of Dogs, Cats, and Babies.

And not to mention the travel and wildlife documentaries that have become his signature. With series such as Islands of Britain, Horsepower, Islands of Australia, Islands of America, and most recently Islands of the Atlantic, Martin has guided viewers through breathtaking landscapes, always highlighting the deep connection between people, animals, and nature.

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In recent years, he has continued to surprise audiences: first returning to sitcoms with Warren (2019), then taking on a darker, critically acclaimed role as Chief Inspector Colin Sutton in ITV’s Manhunt (2018–2021). In 2025, he expanded his experience  with Out There, playing a Welsh farmer caught up in the fight against County Lines drug gangs — proof that, even after four decades in the business, Martin Clunes is still finding new ways to challenge himself professionally and delight his audiences.

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