Eileen Atkins. a dramatic change of image in Doc Martin

[stuart.uk]

Spoiler Alert

The co-creater with Jean Marsh of Upstairs Downstairs, Eileen Atkins, who recently appeared in period drama's like Bertie And Elizabeth where she played Queen Mary and the revamped Upstairs Downstairs where she played owners rich mother is changing her image. Though now 77 she's playing Martin Clunes aunt Ruth in the new series of Doc Martin. She's replacing Stephanie Cole, (Now in Coronation Street) who played aunt Joan. Joan was killed off, unseen, in the 1st episode of the new series.

Eileen was apparently unhappy about the way the new Upstairs Downstairs was going, so jumped ship and is now in Doc Martin

[Gary J.]

I've just been discovering this series during this past summer across the pond here in Phoenix, AZ on our local PBS station.
He is as acerbic as Hugh Laurie's "HOUSE". I must have a soft spot for cranky MD's.