The new Fox medical dramedy Best Medicine only started airing its first season in January 2026, but the show is already looking at a very healthy future. Viewers who have fallen for the grumpy Dr. Martin Best and the quirky residents of Port Wenn can breathe easy. While an official second season order has not been announced by the network yet, all the signs point to Best Medicine Season 2 being not just a possibility, but a near certainty.
Recent comments from Fox leadership and the show’s incredible performance across both broadcast and streaming have made it one of the network’s biggest success stories of the year. Here is the latest on why the show is already being called a lock for another season.
The “Extremely Strong Update” That Changes Everything
The biggest clue that Best Medicine will be back for more episodes came straight from the top. During the FOX Corporation FY2026 Q2 earnings call on February 4, 2026, Executive Chair and CEO Lachlan Murdoch highlighted the show as a key driver of the network’s success .
Murdoch boasted that the network’s midseason lineup, which includes Best Medicine, Fear Factor: House of Fear, and Memory of a Killer, delivered the strongest performance for the network in more than 14 years. This is not just typical corporate hype. When a CEO name-drops a new series on an earnings call to explain why the company is doing well, it is a very strong signal that the network is thrilled with the show’s performance .
According to the data shared during the call, Best Medicine brought in a massive 12 million viewers across all platforms where it airs. This number includes both the live broadcast on Fox and streaming views on Hulu. For a new, non-procedural dramedy that relies on character charm rather than explosions, these numbers are fantastic .
Adding to the good news, Best Medicine was listed as one of the top broadcast drama debuts for the season in the key adult 18-49 demographic. This is the audience that advertisers care about the most. The show also consistently lands in Hulu’s Daily Top 15, proving that people are not just watching it live but are seeking it out to stream later .
What is Best Medicine About?
For those just tuning in, Best Medicine is the American adaptation of the long-running and beloved British series Doc Martin . The show centers on Dr. Martin Best, played by Josh Charles (known for The Good Wife). He is a brilliant surgeon from Boston who suddenly leaves his big-city career to become the general practitioner in a small, quirky East Coast fishing village called Port Wenn, where he spent summers as a child .
The main conflict is simple but endlessly entertaining. Dr. Best is blunt, socially awkward, and has a terrible bedside manner that rubs the friendly but nosy locals the wrong way. He wants to be left alone, but the town keeps dragging him into their personal dramas. To make things even more complicated, he is hiding a secret: he has a debilitating phobia of blood, which makes his job as a doctor very difficult .
Meet the Cast of Best Medicine
A big reason for the show’s success is its talented cast. Viewers have quickly grown attached to the residents of Port Wenn. The main cast includes :
- Josh Charles as the lead, Dr. Martin Best.
- Abigail Spencer as Louisa Gavin, a schoolteacher in the town who becomes a key figure in Martin’s life.
- Josh Segarra as Sheriff Mark Mylow, the local law enforcement.
- Annie Potts as Aunt Sarah, Martin’s aunt who lives in Port Wenn.
- Cree as Elaine Denton, Martin’s long-suffering assistant.
The show also features a deep roster of recurring guest stars that add to the small-town feel, including John DiMaggio as handyman Bert Large. In a treat for fans of the original series, Martin Clunes, the actor who played the original Doc Martin in the British version, makes special guest appearances as Dr. Robert Best, Martin’s father .
Why Fans Were Worried About a Cancellation
Despite the recent good news, some fans were initially concerned about the show’s fate. As one TV writer put it, Best Medicine is a “quirky” show . It does not fit the typical mold of a high-octane procedural or an action-packed drama. It relies on character development, small-town charm, and romantic comedy twists .
Historically, these types of “gentle” shows often struggle to find an audience and are sometimes canceled before they can find their footing. Because the show lacked the usual hallmarks of a guaranteed hit, some viewers worried it might be a one-season wonder . However, the viewership numbers have proven that there is a large audience hungry for exactly this type of comforting, relaxing television.
Where to Watch Best Medicine
If you haven’t started watching yet, it is easy to catch up. The show airs live on Fox. In the United States, new episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu. The series premiere dropped on Hulu on January 5, 2026, with subsequent episodes added weekly .
For global audiences, Best Medicine is distributed by FOX Entertainment Global, so it is expected to roll out on various platforms and local broadcasters in the UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other regions, though specific international release dates vary by country .
The Verdict on a Second Season
So, is Best Medicine Season 2 officially happening? Not yet in writing. But in the world of television, numbers talk louder than press releases. When a show is pulling in 12 million viewers, dominating streaming charts, and being praised by the company CEO for saving the midseason, a renewal is all but a formality .
The network has not given any indication that it is considering canceling the show. Given that the first season is still airing (Episode 5 aired on February 3), it is still early for a formal renewal announcement, but insiders and industry watchers are already calling it a lock for a second season .
For now, fans can relax and enjoy the rest of the debut season without worrying about cancellation anxiety. Dr. Martin Best will likely be treating the stubborn patients of Port Wenn for many years to come.
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