The Untold Truth: Was Martin Clunes' Daughter Really In Doc Martin? (And What She Does Now)

The enduring curiosity surrounding the family life of beloved actor Martin Clunes often leads fans to ask if his daughter, Emily Clunes, ever made an appearance in his most famous series, the long-running ITV hit, Doc Martin. The definitive, up-to-date answer as of December 2025 is yes, she did, but her role was fleeting, easily missed, and a charming piece of trivia for the show's dedicated following.

Far from pursuing a full-time acting career like her father, Emily Clunes has carved out a highly successful and demanding path in a completely different field. Her single, brief cameo on the show is a testament to the close-knit, family-run nature of the production, which was largely filmed in the picturesque Cornish village of Port Isaac (Portwenn).

Emily Clunes: Full Biography and Career Shift from Acting

While her father, Martin Clunes, is a household name in British television, known for roles ranging from Doctor Martin Ellingham in Doc Martin to Gary Strang in Men Behaving Badly, his daughter, Emily, has chosen a life largely out of the spotlight, dedicating herself to a passion she shares with her parents: horses and the countryside.

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• Full Name: Emily Clunes
• Date of Birth: 1999
• Age (as of late 2025): 25/26
• Parents: Martin Clunes (Actor, Director, Presenter) and Philippa Braithwaite (TV Producer)
• Education: Studied at Hartpury University, focusing on veterinary nursing and equine science.
• Primary Career: Professional Event Horse Rider / Equestrian
• Notable Acting Role: Schoolgirl in Doc Martin (Series 4, Episode 8)
• Residency: Lives with her parents on a 130-acre working farm in Dorset.

Emily’s childhood was spent between London and the family's country home, but the move to their expansive farm in Dorset cemented her love for the rural life and, specifically, for horses. This passion led her to pursue a professional career as an eventer, competing in disciplines like showjumping and eventing, rather than following her famous parents into the television industry.

The Definitive Doc Martin Cameo: Series 4, Episode 8

The moment that sparked years of fan speculation took place in Series 4, Episode 8, titled "The Wrong Goodbye." This episode, which originally aired in 2009, featured a brief but memorable appearance by a young Emily Clunes.

What Was Emily Clunes' Role in Doc Martin?

Emily's role was a non-credited, small speaking part as a schoolgirl. The scene involved her character approaching a distressed woman on the street—a classic Portwenn moment of minor drama.

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Her entire speaking part consisted of a single, polite line: “Are you okay, Miss?”

This appearance was not a move to launch an acting career. Instead, it was a fun, one-off opportunity arranged by her parents. Her mother, Philippa Braithwaite, is the successful television producer behind Doc Martin, making the set a familiar environment for Emily. It was a chance for a young girl to briefly share the screen with her actor father, Martin Ellingham, and the rest of the beloved cast, including Caroline Catz (Louisa Glasson) and Ian McNeice (Bert Large).

The fact that the show was filmed on location in Cornwall's Port Isaac, which served as the fictional Portwenn, meant the cast and crew often became a close-knit "family," making a cameo from the star's actual daughter a natural, if low-key, event.

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Why Emily Clunes Chose Equestrianism Over The Spotlight

While many children of famous actors try to follow in their parents' footsteps, Emily Clunes made a conscious decision to pursue her true passion, which lay in the demanding world of equestrian sports. This choice highlights a desire for a private life away from the relentless media scrutiny that comes with being the daughter of a major TV star.

A Life on the Farm in Dorset

Martin Clunes and Philippa Braithwaite have long been vocal about their love for rural life and animals. Their 130-acre farm in Beaminster, Dorset, is home to a variety of animals, including horses, dogs, and farm livestock. It was this environment that nurtured Emily’s passion.

Her dedication is evident in her academic choices. She studied at Hartpury University, which is renowned for its equine programs, focusing on the technical and caring aspects of the sport, including equine science and veterinary nursing. This background provides a strong foundation for her professional career.

Emily is an active competitor in the British eventing circuit, participating in three-day events which combine dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. Her commitment to eventing, a sport requiring immense discipline and physical effort, is a clear indication of her vocational focus.

The Clunes family’s passion for animals extends beyond Emily’s career; Martin Clunes is also the President of the British Horse Society and has presented several documentaries focusing on animals, such as his work with horses in Mongolia. This shared love of the countryside and animals is a strong, unifying force for the family, far removed from the fictional drama of Portwenn.

The Clunes Family's Deep Ties to Doc Martin

The question of Emily’s appearance is often tied to the family’s overall involvement with the show, which goes much deeper than Martin’s starring role.

Philippa Braithwaite: The Producer Behind the Phenomenon

Martin Clunes’ wife, Philippa Braithwaite, is a highly successful TV producer and was instrumental in the creation and longevity of Doc Martin. She served as the producer for the entire series, from its debut in 2004 until its finale in 2022.

The couple's professional partnership, which also includes other projects like *Manhunt* and *Islands of the Pacific*, means the set of Doc Martin was truly a family affair. This professional collaboration allowed for the informal inclusion of their daughter in the show, making her brief cameo a sweet, personal touch in the show's history.

The show, which ran for ten series and a final Christmas special, became a global phenomenon, and the Clunes-Braithwaite partnership was the engine that drove its success. The final series in 2022, and the subsequent documentary, brought an end to the story of Doctor Martin Ellingham and his wife Louisa, but the legacy of the show, and the family’s involvement, continues to fascinate fans worldwide.

In summary, while Martin Clunes’ daughter, Emily Clunes, did appear in Doc Martin, it was a brief, non-acting-focused cameo in Series 4, Episode 8. Her true professional passion lies not on the screen, but in the saddle, where she successfully pursues a career as a professional event horse rider, a life she shares with her family on their Dorset farm.