Martin Clunes Embraces Challenging Role as Disgraced BBC Presenter Huw Edwards
Acclaimed actor Martin Clunes, best known for his beloved role in Doc Martin, steps into a dramatically different character in Channel 5's upcoming factual drama. Clunes portrays convicted former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards in Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards, which premieres on March 24. The film delves into the scandal that shattered Edwards' reputation as one of British television's most trusted faces.
The Fall of a Television Icon
Huw Edwards was a cornerstone of BBC News for decades, anchoring the flagship News at Ten program and delivering monumental announcements to the nation, including the death of Queen Elizabeth II. His esteemed career collapsed in July 2023 when a national newspaper reported that a top BBC star had paid a teenager for explicit images. Edwards' wife subsequently identified him as the presenter involved.
The Metropolitan Police investigation led to charges in June 2024. Edwards stepped down from the BBC that April. In September 2024, he received a six-month suspended prison sentence at Westminster Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.
A Story Beyond the Headlines
Directed by Michael Samuels (The Windermere Children, Any Human Heart), the Channel 5 drama draws upon firsthand interviews and text message transcripts to explore not only Edwards' secret life but also the impact on the young man, named Ryan, portrayed by actor Osian Morgan.
"Beyond the salacious curiosity around this story, I really thought there was another story worth telling, that of 'Ryan' and his family," Clunes explained. "The press has focussed on the fallen big man, Huw Edwards, which is a big story. But behind that, there's this lad and his family whose lives got turned upside down."
Preparing for a Complex Portrayal
Clunes, 64, undertook meticulous research to capture Edwards authentically, seeking out archive footage of the presenter away from the news desk. "I was familiar with Huw Edwards, the newsreader, and how he presented himself when reading the news," Clunes said. "But I've seen other actors make the mistake of just inhabiting that projected face. I knew we needed the other side of him too."
He noted a distinct difference in Edwards' demeanor off-air. "If you listen to his rhythms, he's far more Welsh when he's not newsreading," Clunes observed. The actor studied text message exchanges between Edwards and Ryan, which are incorporated into the script, to understand their relationship dynamics.
Navigating Difficult Material
Known primarily for comedic roles, Clunes acknowledged the emotional challenges of portraying such dark subject matter. "It was hard towards the end of the story, hearing Osian's vulnerable voice when Edwards was bullying him," he confessed. "I didn't feel very nice at the end of those scenes."
To maintain authenticity during phone call sequences, Clunes and Morgan insisted on being physically present together during filming rather than having lines read by crew members. "Because of the intimate nature of so many of these phone calls, we felt we couldn't do that," Clunes explained. "Having us both in the room really helped to create that feeling."
A Career of Contrasts
While this represents one of his darkest roles, Clunes noted it isn't his first venture into serious drama. "I've played a murderer before and I'm vile in Wuthering Heights," he said. "I always just take work from what's on offer, and I've never had a plan. I've always been lucky enough to balance light-hearted jobs like Doc Martin with dramas in-between."
The actor praised his collaboration with director Michael Samuels and the production team, many of whom he had worked with previously. "I was among friends," Clunes said. "I don't know how I would have done it otherwise."
Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards premieres on Channel 5 on Tuesday, March 24 at 9 PM, offering viewers a comprehensive look at one of British broadcasting's most dramatic falls from grace.
