Twenty years after their memorable portrayal of romantic leads in the ITV series 'William and Mary,' the beloved co-stars Martin Clunes and Julie Graham have delighted fans by reuniting for a summer holiday. Their enduring friendship, which blossomed both on and off-screen, was recently showcased through a series of joyful social media posts.
The acclaimed British actors, who played William, a widowed undertaker, and Mary, a midwife, in the 18-episode romantic comedy-drama, cultivated a close bond that has persisted since the show concluded its three-season run in 2005. This week, Julie Graham, now 61, shared a glimpse of their summer escapades with her followers on Instagram. Her carousel of images, captioned with details of "Summer shenanigans France/Dorset/New Forest/Kent wine, song, biking, swimming, dancing, belly laughing. Nourished by old pals, new pals and time with my man. Delicious," included a radiant selfie with Martin and her husband, Davy Croket. The collection also featured vibrant snapshots of Graham enjoying the warm weather in a bikini.
The sight of the reunited pair brought immense joy to their dedicated fanbase. One follower commented, "William and Mary is one of my favourite shows. Beautiful to see you and Martin are still in touch," reflecting the widespread affection for their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie. Graham has frequently spoken about her deep friendship with Clunes, referring to him as "one of my best pals" during a 2020 interview on ITV's Lorraine, where she also revealed that Clunes had played a significant role at her wedding by giving her away.
Julie Graham has been married to Davy Croket, a Belgian skydiving instructor whom she met while filming the ITV comedy 'Benidorm,' since 2019. Martin Clunes, on the other hand, has been married to television producer Philippa Braithwaite since 1997. Beyond 'William and Mary,' the two actors have collaborated on other projects, including the 2000 film 'Dirty Tricks,' and Graham made a guest appearance in Clunes' popular series 'Doc Martin.' Graham has openly expressed her eagerness to reprise her role for a new season of 'William and Mary,' humorously urging ITV to "make that happen" during her 2020 interview.
While cherishing her longstanding professional relationships, Julie Graham has also voiced concerns about the scarcity of meaningful roles for actresses of her generation. In a March 2025 interview with The Telegraph, she lamented the struggle to find projects that resonate with her, stating, "The script is either not good enough or the part isn't big enough or there is nothing I can do with it." She further criticized the prevailing stereotypes, noting, "Writers seem to think that female characters over 50 need to be a certain type – someone with no agency, who is never the protagonist, who is sexless, nagging, confrontational. It's depressing." Despite these challenges, Graham acknowledges her fortunate position in consistently finding work but dismisses the notion of luck, asserting that her sustained career is a testament to her merit and hard work.
Meanwhile, Martin Clunes is setting his sights on expanding his career into more significant Hollywood roles, following his recent impactful performance in 'Wuthering Heights' earlier this year. In the blockbuster film directed by Emerald Fennell, he portrayed Cathy's father, Mr. Earnshaw, alongside acclaimed actors Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Discussing his experience with red-carpet premieres and working with A-listers during a recent appearance on 'This Morning,' Clunes admitted to finding the transition both "weird" and "exciting and scary."
The recent summer reunion of Martin Clunes and Julie Graham, celebrating two decades since their iconic roles in 'William and Mary,' highlights not only their enduring personal friendship but also their continued relevance in the entertainment industry. Fans are left hopeful for future collaborations and delighted by the glimpses into their off-screen bond.
