Midsomer Murders star's new West Country drama with Martin Clunes sounds like a must-watch

Martin Clunes is gearing up to charm us in a new comedy-drama brimming with famous faces, including one that might be familiar to eagle-eyed Midsomer Murders fans, and it's set to be a must-watch. The actor, 63, famed for his roles in Doc Martin and Men Behaving Badly, is joining forces with talents like James Buckley and Gabriella Wilde in the heartwarming movie, Mother's Pride.

This gem hails from the creative minds behind box office hits Finding Your Feet and Fisherman's Friends. Taking place in the scenic West Country, the film spins a tale of "a failing pub, a divided community and a grieving family whose lives are changed by brewing real ale and entering the Great British beer awards", according to the synopsis.

Produced by Fred Films and Flying Fish Productions, Nick Moorcroft (Fisherman's Friends: One and All) takes the director's chair. He also co-wrote the script with Meg Leonard (Finding Your Feet, Fisherman's Friends).

This dynamic duo previously told The Guardian that the film is "a love-letter to family, community, real ale and Britain's forgotten rural traditions".

Nick commented on the importance of pubs, saying: "Pubs are really important for communities, bringing people together, which is especially pertinent with Covid as they tackle loneliness and social isolation.

"But on our location scouting, we were visiting pubs that have been empty for two years and will never become pubs again. Each is filled with history and memories. It's really sad."

The film, Mother's Pride, has a star-studded cast including Midsomer Murders' Miles Jupp as Jeremy, Jonno Davies from Better Man and Kingsman: The Secret Service as Cal Harley, Martin Clunes from Doc Martin and Manhunt as Mick Harley, and James Buckley from White Gold and The Inbetweeners as Jake Harley.

Joining them are Gabriella Wilde from Poldark and Endless Love as Abi, Mark Addy from Game Of Thrones and Sherwood as Paxman, Lana Moorcroft from Fisherman's Friends: One and All as Romy, and Luke Treadaway from Lockwood & Co as Edward Pritchard.

Completing the main cast are Lola Rose Maxwell from Starstruck, Josie Lawrence from A Clever Woman, Karl Collins from Spent, Stephen Leask from Trigger Point and Emily Lloyd Saini from Code 404.

Mother's Pride, which finished filming in October last year, may be hitting cinemas as soon as some time in 2025.

But that's not all for Martin Clunes. He's also presenting a new travel series for ITV, Martin Clunes' Islands of the Atlantic, which will be airing on Friday, May 2.