The Best Medicine cast brings together familiar television stars, rising actors, and colorful supporting characters in one of FOX’s newest medical comedy-dramas. Led by Josh Charles, Abigail Spencer, Annie Potts, Josh Segarra, and Cree, the series follows a brilliant but difficult doctor who leaves Boston for the small fishing village of Port Wenn, Maine. FOX premiered the first season in January 2026, and the show is already preparing to return for Season 2 in September 2026.
What makes this show fun is that medicine is only part of the story. The strange townspeople, romantic tension, family problems, and Martin Best’s terrible bedside manner create just as much drama as the illnesses he treats.
So, who plays whom? Here is a closer look at the main Best Medicine cast and the characters who make Port Wenn such an unusual place to live.
Best Medicine Cast at a Glance
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Charles | Dr. Martin Best | Doctor and central character |
| Abigail Spencer | Louisa Gavin | Local schoolteacher |
| Josh Segarra | Sheriff Mark Mylow | Town sheriff |
| Annie Potts | Aunt Sarah | Martin’s aunt |
| Cree | Elaine Denton | Martin’s assistant |
| Stephen Spinella | Greg Garrison | Restaurant owner |
| Jason Veasey | George Brady | Greg’s husband and chef |
| Carter Shimp | Al Large | Local resident |
| John DiMaggio | Bert Large | Contractor and Al’s father |
| Clea Lewis | Sally Mylow | Pharmacist and Mark’s mother |
| Didi Conn | Geneva Potter | Port Wenn resident |
| Michael Potts | Gilbert Carlisle | Local resident |
FOX identifies Josh Charles, Abigail Spencer, Josh Segarra, Annie Potts, and Cree as the show’s core stars.
What Is Best Medicine About?
Best Medicine centers on Dr. Martin Best.
Martin is a highly skilled surgeon from Boston who suddenly walks away from his successful career and moves to Port Wenn, a small fishing village in Maine.
There is just one problem.
Martin may understand medicine brilliantly, but he does not understand people nearly as well.
He can be blunt, impatient, and rude. That quickly causes problems because Port Wenn is the kind of town where everyone knows everyone else’s business.
Even worse, Martin is hiding his own medical-related problem.
Despite being a talented doctor, he struggles with a serious fear connected to blood. That gives the show an unusual twist because the person helping everyone else also needs help himself.
The series is an American adaptation of the British television hit Doc Martin.
Josh Charles as Dr. Martin Best
Josh Charles leads the Best Medicine cast as Dr. Martin Best.
Martin is intelligent, experienced, and extremely capable when a patient needs medical treatment.
Friendly conversation?
That is much harder.
Martin often says exactly what he thinks without worrying about whether someone will be offended. His direct personality immediately clashes with the warm but nosy people of Port Wenn.
That contrast is one of the show’s main sources of comedy.
Josh Charles is a strong choice for the role because he can make Martin frustrating and funny at the same time.
Many television viewers already know Charles from The Good Wife, where he played Will Gardner. Earlier audiences may remember him from Sports Night or the classic film Dead Poets Society.
In Best Medicine, however, he gets to take center stage.
Martin’s emotional problems also make the character more interesting than simply being “the rude doctor.”
He clearly has feelings.
He is simply terrible at showing them.
Abigail Spencer as Louisa Gavin
Abigail Spencer plays Louisa Gavin, one of the most important people in Martin’s new life.
Louisa is a local schoolteacher.
She is warm, strong-minded, and much better with people than Martin is.
Naturally, that means the two clash.
But their relationship is not based only on arguments.
There is also clear romantic tension.
Season 1 gradually develops the question of whether Martin and Louisa can move beyond their differences and admit what they really feel about one another.
FOX’s first-episode description specifically introduces Louisa as the local teacher who questions Martin’s harsh attitude.
Abigail Spencer will already be familiar to many television fans.
She has appeared in shows such as Timeless, Rectify and Suits.
In Best Medicine, she gives Louisa the confidence needed to stand up to Martin rather than simply becoming another person intimidated by him.
That balance makes their scenes enjoyable.
Martin needs someone willing to challenge him.
Louisa is more than willing.
Josh Segarra as Sheriff Mark Mylow
Josh Segarra plays Sheriff Mark Mylow.
Mark is Port Wenn’s sheriff, but law enforcement is only part of his importance to the story.
He also has a romantic history with Louisa.
Mark is her former fiancé.
That immediately creates another complication for Martin.
If Martin and Louisa are slowly becoming interested in each other, having Louisa’s charming ex-fiancé walking around town is hardly going to make things easier.
Season 1 makes that situation increasingly important.
By the finale, Mark’s relationship with Louisa creates even more uncertainty about where her future may be heading.
Segarra has appeared in a long list of television projects, including Arrow and The Other Two.
His energetic style fits Mark well.
The character helps add romance, humor, and occasional jealousy to Port Wenn’s already complicated social life.
Annie Potts as Aunt Sarah
Annie Potts plays Aunt Sarah.
She is Martin’s aunt and one of his closest family connections in Port Wenn.
Sarah is also deeply connected to village life.
Unlike Martin, she understands the people around her.
That makes her an important bridge between her difficult nephew and the community he keeps accidentally upsetting.
Annie Potts is easily one of the most recognizable performers in the cast.
Movie fans know her from Ghostbusters.
Television viewers may recognize her from Designing Women and more recently Young Sheldon.
She brings warmth and experience to Best Medicine.
Sarah can be funny, loving, stubborn, and independent.
She also helps show another side of Martin.
He may act cold around many people, but family relationships reveal that there is much more happening underneath his unfriendly exterior.
Cree as Elaine Denton
Cree plays Elaine Denton, Martin’s administrative assistant.
Elaine may technically work for the doctor, but she is almost his complete opposite.
Martin wants things organized.
Elaine frequently gets distracted.
Martin wants peace and quiet.
Elaine brings energy wherever she goes.
Martin wants people to focus on medicine.
Elaine has much bigger dreams of becoming an online star.
FOX describes Elaine as energetic, charming, ambitious, and eager to eventually escape the small town. She dreams about becoming a YouTube personality, even though Martin finds her working style extremely frustrating.
The actress is professionally credited simply as Cree, although she is also known as Cree Cicchino.
Viewers may recognize her from Game Shakers, Mr. Iglesias, Big Sky, or Turtles All the Way Down.
Elaine brings a younger, playful energy to the clinic.
Her scenes with Martin work because their personalities could hardly be more different.
He wants seriousness.
She brings chaos.
Stephen Spinella as Greg Garrison
Stephen Spinella plays Greg Garrison.
Greg owns The Salty Breeze, one of the important gathering places in Port Wenn.
Restaurants in small television towns often become almost as important as the houses and workplaces because they allow different characters to keep bumping into each other.
The Salty Breeze fills that role.
Greg is married to George Brady, and the pair are among the recurring residents who give the town its personality.
Spinella is an experienced stage and screen performer.
In Best Medicine, Greg adds another layer of warmth and eccentricity to village life.
Jason Veasey as George Brady
Jason Veasey plays George Brady.
George is Greg’s husband and works as executive chef at The Salty Breeze.
The couple helps create the feeling that Port Wenn is a real community rather than simply a background for Martin’s medical cases.
That matters.
The series works because patients do not simply appear, receive treatment, and disappear.
Many people Martin treats are neighbors he will probably meet again.
That forces him to become part of a community whether he likes it or not.
George and Greg are part of that world.
Carter Shimp as Al Large
Carter Shimp plays Al Large.
Al becomes especially interesting because of his connection with Elaine.
While Martin usually finds Elaine irritating, Al sees something very different in her.
Their interactions add another younger relationship to the series.
Al’s father is Bert Large, played by John DiMaggio.
Together, they are another example of how families overlap throughout Port Wenn.
John DiMaggio as Bert Large
John DiMaggio appears as Bert Large.
Bert is a local contractor and Al’s father.
Animation fans may recognize DiMaggio’s voice before recognizing his face.
He is famous for major voice roles, including Bender in Futurama.
In Best Medicine, however, audiences get to see him as part of Port Wenn’s live-action community.
Bert’s presence also strengthens the series’ focus on generations and family relationships.
Clea Lewis as Sally Mylow
Clea Lewis plays Sally Mylow.
Sally is the local pharmacist and Mark Mylow’s mother.
A pharmacist is naturally an important person in a small town built around a medical comedy.
It also means Sally and Martin operate in overlapping worlds.
Add her connection to Mark and Louisa’s complicated history, and she becomes even more connected to the bigger story.
Didi Conn as Geneva Potter
Didi Conn plays Geneva Potter, one of Port Wenn’s older residents.
Conn is best remembered by many viewers as Frenchy from Grease.
Her appearance gives Best Medicine another familiar face.
Characters like Geneva are important because Port Wenn needs to feel filled with personalities that existed long before Martin arrived.
Martin may be the main character.
But Port Wenn definitely does not belong to him.
The residents make that very clear.
Michael Potts as Gilbert Carlisle
Michael Potts appears as Gilbert Carlisle.
Gilbert holds a small but important place in Martin’s introduction to the town because he becomes one of Dr. Best’s first patients after his arrival.
Potts is an experienced actor whose previous television work includes acclaimed series such as The Wire.
His presence adds further depth to the supporting cast.
Martin Clunes’ Special Best Medicine Appearance
One casting choice became particularly exciting for fans of the original British show.
Martin Clunes, the actor who played Dr. Martin Ellingham in Doc Martin, appeared during Season 1 of Best Medicine.
He plays Robert Best, Martin’s father.
That is a clever connection.
Instead of simply giving the original star a random cameo, the American adaptation made him part of Martin Best’s family.
For viewers who watched Doc Martin for years, seeing Clunes appear alongside Josh Charles created a fun link between the two versions.
Judith Ivey also appears as Vanessa Best, Martin’s mother.
Their visit gives viewers more information about why Martin behaves the way he does.
Suddenly, his difficult personality makes a little more sense.
Eliza Coupe as Dr. Eden Montgomery
Eliza Coupe appears as Dr. Eden Montgomery.
Eden has a particularly important connection to Martin.
She is his ex.
And because Martin is already struggling with his feelings toward Louisa, bringing a former romantic partner into the story naturally makes things complicated.
By the end of Season 1, the situation involving Martin, Louisa, Mark, and Eden has become one of the show’s biggest relationship questions heading toward Season 2.
Why the Best Medicine Cast Works So Well
A medical show needs believable doctors.
But a comedy-drama needs much more.
It needs people viewers actually want to spend time with.
That is where the Best Medicine cast succeeds.
Josh Charles gives the show its center with Martin.
Abigail Spencer gives him someone capable of challenging him emotionally.
Josh Segarra keeps the romantic story unpredictable.
Annie Potts brings heart and family history.
Cree delivers youthful energy and comedy.
Then the recurring cast turns Port Wenn into a real community.
That combination makes the series feel less like a traditional hospital drama.
It is really a small-town story where the main character just happens to be a doctor.
Is Best Medicine Based on Doc Martin?
Yes.
Best Medicine is based on the successful British series Doc Martin. FOX’s official production information confirms that the American version comes from the original format created for the UK series.
The basic idea is similar.
A brilliant doctor with terrible social skills ends up treating patients in a quirky seaside community.
However, Best Medicine moves the story to the United States.
Its Port Wenn is located in Maine rather than Cornwall.
The cast and individual character details have also been adjusted for the American version.
That means people who already love Doc Martin may recognize the basic setup without watching exactly the same show again.
How Many Episodes Are in Best Medicine Season 1?
Season 1 contains 13 episodes.
FOX lists the premiere, “Docked,” as airing January 4, 2026, with the thirteenth episode, “Norway No How,” airing April 7.
Across those episodes, Martin slowly becomes more involved in village life despite repeatedly acting as though he would prefer everyone to leave him alone.
His relationships with Louisa, Sarah, Elaine, Mark, and the other residents become just as important as his medical work.
Is Best Medicine Returning for Season 2?
Yes.
Best Medicine is returning for Season 2.
FOX’s current information says the second season premieres Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
That means fans do not have long to wait.
The main cast is expected back, including Josh Charles, Abigail Spencer, Josh Segarra, Annie Potts, and Cree.
Season 2 also has plenty of unfinished storylines to explore.
What happens between Martin and Louisa?
Will Mark remain part of that romantic complication?
How much trouble will Elaine create for Martin?
And can Martin finally become slightly better at dealing with actual human beings?
Maybe.
But if he becomes too friendly, Best Medicine would lose half its fun.
Who Is the Main Star of Best Medicine?
Josh Charles is the central star.
His Dr. Martin Best drives the story.
However, the series works as an ensemble.
Martin’s personality is funniest when someone pushes against it.
Louisa challenges him.
Elaine frustrates him.
Sarah understands him.
Mark complicates his romantic life.
The townspeople refuse to leave him alone.
Without those characters, Martin would simply be a grumpy doctor sitting quietly in an office.
Port Wenn does not allow that to happen.
Where Can You Watch Best Medicine?
Best Medicine airs on FOX, with FOX also making the series available through its streaming platform. The official FOX page describes it as a TV-14 comedy centered on the brilliant but blunt doctor adjusting to village life.
Availability can vary depending on region and streaming service.
With Season 2 arriving in September 2026, new viewers still have time to catch up on the first season.
Final Thoughts
The Best Medicine cast is one of the biggest reasons this new medical comedy-drama works.
Josh Charles leads the series as Dr. Martin Best, a brilliant physician who can diagnose complicated illnesses far more easily than he can understand ordinary conversation. Abigail Spencer plays Louisa Gavin, the teacher who refuses to be intimidated by him, while Josh Segarra brings extra romantic complications as Sheriff Mark Mylow.
Annie Potts adds warmth as Aunt Sarah, and Cree provides some of the funniest energy in the series as Martin’s wildly distracting assistant Elaine.
Around them is a strong group of recurring actors, including Stephen Spinella, Jason Veasey, Carter Shimp, John DiMaggio, Clea Lewis, Didi Conn, and Michael Potts.
Together, they turn Port Wenn from a simple fictional fishing village into a place filled with friendships, arguments, romances, strange illnesses, and plenty of gossip.
Season 1 introduced the town.
Season 2 now has the chance to make those relationships even more complicated.
And with the new season arriving in September 2026, the Best Medicine cast clearly has much more of Port Wenn’s story left to tell.
FAQs About the Best Medicine Cast
Who plays Dr. Martin Best in Best Medicine?
Josh Charles plays Dr. Martin Best, the brilliant but socially difficult doctor at the center of the series.
Who plays Louisa in Best Medicine?
Abigail Spencer plays Louisa Gavin, a local schoolteacher who develops an increasingly important relationship with Martin.
Who plays Sheriff Mark in Best Medicine?
Josh Segarra plays Sheriff Mark Mylow, Port Wenn’s sheriff and Louisa’s former fiancé.
Who plays Aunt Sarah?
Annie Potts plays Martin’s Aunt Sarah.
Who plays Elaine in Best Medicine?
Cree, also known as Cree Cicchino, plays Elaine Denton, Martin’s energetic and often distracting assistant.
Is Martin Clunes in Best Medicine?
Yes. Martin Clunes, who starred in the original British Doc Martin, appears as Robert Best, Martin’s father.
Is Best Medicine a remake of Doc Martin?
Yes. The FOX series is an American adaptation of the British television series Doc Martin.
How many episodes are in Best Medicine Season 1?
The first season has 13 episodes, beginning with “Docked” and ending with “Norway No How.”
Will there be a Best Medicine Season 2?
Yes. Season 2 is scheduled to premiere on FOX on September 22, 2026.
Who are the main Best Medicine cast members?
The main cast includes Josh Charles, Abigail Spencer, Josh Segarra, Annie Potts, and Cree.
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