Martin Clunes, the renowned 64-year-old actor, has shared insights into his portrayal of former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards in the new Channel 5 drama, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards. Alongside co-star Osian Morgan, who plays “Ryan,” a young man central to the story, Clunes delves into the complex character behind the public persona of Edwards.
The drama explores Edwards' hidden double life, which culminated in his arrest and subsequent withdrawal from the public eye. Reflecting on his preparation for the role, Clunes said, “I was familiar with Huw Edwards as the newsreader, seeing how he presented himself while on air. But I’ve seen other actors mistake that projected image for the whole person. I knew the drama needed to show the other side of him.”
Clunes explained how locating archive footage of Edwards off-camera was challenging, but crucial: “Watching those moments, I noticed Edwards was distinctly different away from the newsroom. He was more authentically Welsh and more relaxed. That contrast was vital to capture.”
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Commenting on the story’s relevance, Clunes admitted, “I didn’t know all the details before, and honestly, I was hesitant to find out. But for this drama, it was essential to understand how someone so familiar on our screens could have such a hidden side.”
In 2024, Edwards was sentenced to a six-month suspended prison term and placed on the sex offenders register after admitting to creating indecent images of children. The drama also portrays Ryan’s experience meeting Edwards as a 17-year-old, giving voice to the survivor often overshadowed by media focus on Edwards’ downfall.
Clunes emphasized the emotional weight of the role: “I knew this would be challenging on many levels. The script is powerful, handling a difficult subject with intelligence. It’s important that the story of ‘Ryan’ and his family is told, not just the sensational headlines about Edwards.”
He added, “It can be uncomfortable, but that’s part of the job. Sometimes the role doesn’t come with clear guidance, but with transcripts of text messages between Edwards and Ryan included in the script, we brought those moments to life carefully—though the most intimate calls weren’t depicted for sensitivity reasons.”
Martin has recently gravitated towards darker roles, but says it’s never been a deliberate shift: “I’ve played villains and dark characters before, and I balance those with lighter roles like Doc Martin, which I’d gladly play again.”
He concluded, “Acting requires leaps of faith. You don’t want every role to feel predictable or calculated. I committed fully to this performance, confident it was in capable hands.”
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards premieres on Channel 5 on March 24.