Is this a direct remake of Doc Martin?

Yes. It follows the same premise and many of the same character archetypes, though it swaps the Cornwall setting for an American fishing village. Martin Clunes, the original 'Doc,' even makes a cameo.

How graphic are the medical scenes?

It’s standard network TV fare. You’ll see some blood, minor procedures, and medical equipment, but it’s not a gore-fest. If they can handle a typical episode of House or The Good Doctor, they'll be fine.

Is the main character a bad influence?

He’s definitely not a role model for politeness. He’s blunt, elitist, and often dismissive. However, the show clearly frames this as a flaw he needs to overcome, making it a good jumping-off point for talking about social skills.

Is there a lot of romance or 'adult' content?

It’s very mild. There’s some small-town romantic tension and the occasional reference to dating, but it stays firmly in the PG/PG-13 territory. No graphic sex or heavy mature themes.

Best Medicine – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Best Medicine

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2026

64%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A top-tier surgeon trades Boston for a tiny fishing village and discovers that a perfect medical record won't help you win over a town that thinks you're a jerk.

6.4/10

77%

57%

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Best Medicine

show

NR, 2026

64%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A top-tier surgeon trades Boston for a tiny fishing village and discovers that a perfect medical record won't help you win over a town that thinks you're a jerk.

6.4

77%

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6.4/10

77%

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Screenwise Verdict

Best Medicine is a perfectly fine, if uninspired, medical dramedy. It’s the kind of show you put on when you want something light and predictable that won't stress you out, but it doesn't quite reach the heights of the British original it's based on.

While Josh Charles is always a win, the show struggles with its lead's abrasive personality, making it hard to root for him at times. It’s a solid choice for a family watch with older kids who have outgrown cartoons but aren't ready for the soap opera intensity of adult medical dramas.

Age Fit

Best for kids 12 and up who can appreciate dry humor and don't mind a lead character who isn't a traditional hero. Younger kids will likely find the medical jargon and social friction boring.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It centers on community and medical care in a small town, though the protagonist's abrasive personality creates constant social friction.

Imaginative

It's a very standard 'fish-out-of-water' medical dramedy that follows the British source material closely without adding much new to the genre.

Safe

Low-stakes drama with standard medical procedural elements. Expect some blood and needles, but nothing gratuitous.

Enriching

Offers some decent explorations of community dynamics and the importance of soft skills in professional life, but it's mostly light entertainment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Josh Charles brings a dry, sharp wit to the lead role that keeps the 'brilliant but rude' trope from feeling too tired.
The supporting cast, particularly Annie Potts, adds a layer of warmth and quirkiness that balances out the doctor's coldness.
It's a cozy medical procedural that avoids the high-octane trauma of shows like Grey's Anatomy in favor of small-town character studies.
Fans of the original British series Doc Martin will enjoy seeing how the American version translates the humor to an East Coast setting.

⚠

What to Watch For

The protagonist is intentionally unlikeable for long stretches; if your kid is sensitive to social awkwardness or 'cringe' humor, this might be a tough watch.
Standard medical squeamishness applies—expect stitches, blood, and the occasional gross-out symptom that comes with being a rural GP.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Dr. Best finds it so hard to be nice to people even though he clearly wants to help them?"
"Which of the village locals would you find the most annoying to deal with every day?"
"Do you think you can be a good doctor if you have a terrible bedside manner, or is the social part just as important as the medicine?"
"What would be the hardest thing about moving from a big city to a tiny town where everyone knows your business?"

Deep Dive

The American Doc Martin

If you've seen the British hit Doc Martin, you know exactly what you're getting here. Best Medicine is a beat-for-beat Americanization that moves the action to a quaint East Coast fishing village. The core remains the same: a brilliant surgeon with a blood phobia (or in this case, just a massive ego and zero social skills) is forced to become a country doctor.

The show lives or dies on the lead performance. Josh Charles plays Martin Best with a precision that makes his social failures genuinely funny, but the script often leans too hard into making him a jerk. It lacks some of the charm of the original, which Roger Ebert's site correctly noted feels a bit 'shoddy' by comparison.

Why it works for families

Despite the protagonist's rudeness, the show is remarkably safe. It’s a 'low-stakes' procedural. Each episode usually features a quirky medical mystery solved through Best’s superior intellect, contrasted with his inability to understand basic human emotions. For parents, it's a great way to talk about the difference between being 'smart' and being 'kind.'

It’s not 'must-watch' television, but it is excellent 'background' television. If you need something to watch while folding laundry that won't require a trigger warning or a deep dive into complex lore, this is your show. It’s cozy, mildly educational regarding medical oddities, and features a very charming Annie Potts.