Auntie Joan was one of the most beloved characters on ITV's hit series Doc Martin, but if you've been paying attention to the news surrounding the series, you'll know that she won't be returning when series 5 commences. The series, which premieres on ITV next month in the UK, will instead feature Joan's sister, Auntie Ruth, who comes to Portwenn under unknown circumstances.
But why is Auntie Joan departing? Actress Stephanie Cole says it's because she doesn't want to stay in one place for too long: "With TV, after four series I always say, 'Thank you, that's the end of it!' That's why I left Doc Martin - there are other mountains to climb, other rivers to swim," Cole shared with the TV Times magazine. "I absolutely respect people who spend a long time doing one thing, but I'm not made like that."
The 69-year-old Cole will move on to a role in the British soap Coronation Street, in which she will play "mother-in-law from hell" Sylvia Goodwin.
It's sort of hard to understand how she felt limited, considering Doc Martin's every-other-year filming schedule, but we wish Cole the best. It'll be interesting to see how Auntie Joan is written out come series 5.
Series 5 premieres September 12 on ITV in the UK, and will air on PBS in the U.S. in 2012.
I am saddened to learn that Auntie Joan will be gone from the Doc Martin series. Her presence gave the show a nice, comforting foundation; that regardless of how dysfunctional and uncaring Doc Martin's own parents were, she embodied and provided the security her nephew could always rely on. And now she is gone. How sad. I wish Stephanie Cole the all the best. I hope Aunt Ruth will be just as stellar in performance and character. After all, it IS Dame Eileen Atkins.
sadly,her American fans won't be able to see her any more.
You won't be able to see her as Auntie Joan, but she did play Diana Trent on Closer to God AND if you are able to pick up Canadian TV, CBET/CBC carries Coronation Street everyday and 5 hours rebroadcast on Sunday mornings. She will be showing up there soon.
sure they will just tune in to Coronation Street or if you get the series Waiting for God she is Diana Trent there.
I am so sorry to hear that Aunti Joan will not be returning with the new season. I liked her much better in Doc Martin than I did in waiting for God. She was more lovng in Doc Martin. I do hope I have not seen the last of her, while wishing her the very best.
Well, I have seen the first (4) episodes of Series 5, and there is a distinct difference in the show without "Auntie Joan." That character did, indeed, bring a nice balance playing against the Doc Martin character. Not only is Auntie Joan gone, but Pauline is no longer on board as well. Both of these characters brought a nice comedic balance, which made Doc Martin such a loveable show. We will have to see how things progress with the replacement characters. We are now being introduced to Auntie Joan's sister, who is rather staid (at least to me). However, this is one of those situations where each one of us will experience the changes differently.
Stephanie Cole has a long history of playing the "difficult & sarcastic" character. Doc Martin was a rather pleasant departure from that. However, she is back to that type of character on Coronation Street.
Loved Ms. Cole in this series–and Pauline: Why did SHhE leave the show? :-(
Loved Ms. Cole in this series–and Pauline: Why did SHE leave the show?
I am so upset to hear that Aun Joan will not be part of Doc Martin this year that I don't know if I can watch it
I feel that the best character on the show has died, I feel a personal loss,
CdnMargie
Stephanie Cole was wonderful as Auntie Joan, and now we have a whole new perspective with Eileen Atkins. They each bring their own nuance to the characters they play– and do it brilliantly!
We're part of the huge number of Canadians who absolutely are addicted to the series. The writers are so creative. The ending of Season 5 was a lovely treat. Please give us more of the same.
I was distraught that Stephanie Cole left Doc Martin until I read why she did that. I completely understand. I have always left a job after eight years. Eight years on any job was enough to know it inside out, backwards, forwards, left or right. I'd move on and do something completely different. And, this way, life remained a banquet. Good going, Stephanie! More power to you. It all worked out for me in marvelous ways and it will for you too! I hope "Coronation Street" is picked up by PBS, so I can follow your career here as well. I hope it will be something like Eastenders was originally.
So sad Stephanie is leaving. We are in the U.S. and ate up the limited number of episodes of “Waiting for God” that PBS shows. We were ecstatic when we found that our lovely Martin Clunes’ Doc Martin featured her as Auntie Joan. We were thrilled to see her in a bit part as the owner of an employment agency owner in the movie “Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, and are dying for more, loving or mean, performances from her. We understan her reasons but will miss her terribly.
I just learned that Auntie Joan will not be returning to "Doc Martin." DRAT, aside from the Doc himself, she was my favorite character, because she was so multi-layered. Her sound good advice, plus obvious love for "Martie," always made me hopeful that, one day, he would come round. The only good news to this is that she is not leaving the series because she died, unlike Joan Sims from "As Time Goes By." Hopefully, Ms. Cole's newest endeavors will be exported to her loving U.S. fans. In the meantime, no matter how good the replacements, I WILL MISS YOU!
Like some of the other commentors here, I feel that Auntie Joan's demise has left a "hole" in the show. Eileen Atkins is a fine actress but her character is too much like that of Doc Martin's and she seems oddly out-of place. I also miss Catherine Parkinson who played Pauline. While her replacement, Jessica Ransom, is adequate, I find that her character doesn't have the depth of Pauline's. It appears that the writers have changed–perhaps this is the explanation. I simply ADORE this show and love the way the British celebrate eccentricity. Doc Martin has to be the best TV series since Fawlty Towers. May it continue forever!!!!!
She was wonderful in the role of Auntie Joan. We are bummed but have hopes the new Auntie Ruth will be equally as good
We finally got season five of Doc Martin here in the states , well Utah any way , I really like the series and will continue to watch although I’ll miss Aunty Joan , I think she was the only character in the show who really understood ‘ol Marty , sad to see he go , good to know that Stephanie Cole is still kicking around though , I’ll also miss Katherine Parkinson ,
I fear the surgery will fall into chaos without Pauline !
I loved Aunt Joan! She reminded me of my mom and all my aunts! Will Martin be even more insufferable without her?
And Pauline, too? I didn't know she was leaving the show. She was great.
She reminded me of one of my aunts as well , great lady .
Things will certainly be different for Marty without Aunty Joan but it seems he has rekindled his relationship with Luisa and and now he has a new born son to look after , the added stress may very well make him more “insufferable” although ya never know kids will change a man , hmm …
As for Katherine Parkinson it appears she’s left the show also but I’m not sure , I missed the second episode of the fifth season so I’m a bit in the dark as to what is going on now , I do know that she wasn’t in the first episode however , I’ll miss her and her goofy laugh !
SAY IT ISN'T SO!
I’m sorry to see Ms Cole leave Doc Martin but really glad to know she is still alive and kicking. Best of success on Coronation Street!