Best Medicine is a 2026 American drama comedy-drama film created by Liz Tuccillo. The film premiered on the Hulu movie platform on January 4, 2026.
Best Medicine is an American television drama with comedic elements that offers a fresh take on the "medical dramedy" genre. It is an American adaptation of the British series Doc Martin, which takes the story of the unusual doctor to a new context — a picturesque seaside town in Maine, where the relationships between doctors and patients create both funny and touching moments. The first episode premiered on January 4, 2026, and the series continues to air on FOX with new episodes every Tuesday night.
The series follows the life of Dr. Martin Best, a brilliant but socially awkward surgeon who leaves his successful career in Boston and returns to Port Wayne, a small fishing town on the East Coast where he spent his childhood summers. Despite his medical skills, Dr. Best's dark and often gruff personality does not immediately appeal to the locals, who tend to be warm, curious, and outgoing. He faces a series of clinical cases, personal challenges, and social misunderstandings as he tries to balance his professionalism with his desire to fit in with his new community. Beneath the surface lies a deeper inner struggle as Dr. Best grapples with personal phobias, psychological barriers, and the difficulty of forming real relationships, making the story not only a medical drama but also an emotionally human one.
The series was developed by Liz Tuccillo, who adapted the British original Doc Martin in a small American town, with a tone that combines light humor, family relationships, and medical cases. The directorial approach focuses attention on the characters and their relationships, using an idyllic, almost cozy visual style typical of small communities, alongside more dramatic clashes between different characters and expectations. The pace of the series balances between comedic scenes that disrupt everyday life in Port Wayne and more serious medical and personality conflicts, making it accessible to a wide audience, both for fans of light dramas and those who like content with a little more emotional depth.
The overall impression of the acting performances is positive — the actors bring a variety of nuances to their roles, which emphasizes both the comic and dramatic aspects of the story. Josh Charles is convincing as Dr. Martin Best—a talented doctor with a rough-and-tumble style who slowly learns to adapt to the needs of the population. Abigail Spencer as Louise Gavin brings warmth and human sensitivity that lightens tense situations and creates an emotional connection with the viewer. Annie Potts brings experience and calmness to the role of Aunt Sarah, while Josh Segara is charmingly serious as Sheriff Mark Milo — part of a complicated love and friendship storyline. Cree plays Elaine Denton, Dr. Best's new assistant who proves to be key to building the work and social dynamic. The supporting cast offers an additional charming palette of unique characters — from pharmacists to loyal residents — who add to the feel of a true small town.
Best Medicine is a pleasant medical drama with comedic overtones that takes a good basic idea—a talented but socially awkward doctor in a small community—and adapts it for a modern American audience. The series combines lightheartedness, humanity, and medical case studies while also tackling themes of personal fears, integration, and community support. While critical reviews have been mixed to moderate, the series has a charm that makes it a comfortable and entertaining weeknight watch. If you like stories where individual quirks meet the characters of an entire community in charming and often hilarious ways, this is a worthwhile pick among the new offerings for 2026.
