FOX Entertainment Global has secured multiple international sales for its breakout new series Best Medicine, following the show’s impressive U.S. debut, which delivered 15.7 million multiplatform viewers. Leading the international rollout, Best Medicine will premiere exclusively on Sky and streaming service NOW in the UK and Ireland, starting on Tuesday, June 9.
Additional international sales include TV4 in Sweden, TV2 in Norway, Syn in Iceland, Hong Kong’s Now TV, Play Media in Belgium, Talpa Network in the Netherlands, Pro Plus in Slovenia, YES in Israel, NBC Universal Global Networks in Central and Eastern Europe, TV2 Media Group in Hungary, COSMOTE TV in Greece, HRT in Croatia, NOS Portugal, and Bell Media and Group TVA in Canada, with further international agreements currently in progress.
“Best Medicine continues to resonate with broadcasters globally because of its uplifting storytelling and broad audience accessibility,” said Prentiss Fraser, President of FOX Entertainment Global. “The addition of Sky and this rapidly expanding roster of premier international partners demonstrates the powerful global appeal of the series and reinforces the growing demand for feel-good entertainment that delivers both heart and scale.”
Best Medicine is a charmingly complicated one-hour series based on the beloved global hit Doc Martin, following brilliant surgeon Martin Best (Josh Charles), who leaves his prestigious Boston career behind to become the general practitioner in the quaint East Coast fishing village where he spent childhood summers. Though highly skilled, Martin’s blunt and abrasive bedside manner quickly alienates the quirky, needy locals, including schoolteacher Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer), even as they rely on him for every medical crisis and mystery that arises in their eccentric town. Beneath his gruff exterior, Martin struggles with a debilitating new phobia and deep psychological issues that make genuine intimacy nearly impossible, yet the persistent, tight-knit community may prove to be exactly what he needs. The ensemble cast also includes Annie Potts, Josh Segarra, Cree, and a roster of recurring guest stars, with Doc Martin star Martin Clunes making a special guest appearance as Martin’s father, Dr. Robert Best. Season two of Best Medicine is slated to return this fall to FOX.
Owned by FOX Entertainment, Best Medicine is produced by FOX Entertainment Studios and is distributed by FOX Entertainment Global. Ben Silverman (The Office, U.S.), Rodney Ferrell (Stick), Howard T. Owens (Stick), Liz Tuccillo (Sex and the City), Mark Crowdy (Doc Martin), Philippa Braithwaite (Doc Martin), Jay Karas and Tyson Bidner are executive producers. Jamie Babbit directed the first two episodes which she also executive produced. Best Medicine is based on All3Media International’s successful format Doc Martin, which was produced originally in the UK by Buffalo Pictures in association with Homerun Film Productions, and brought to American audiences by Propagate Content.