Martin Clunes opens up about the complexities of playing former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards in the Channel 5 drama, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards. The 64-year-old actor emphasizes how he aimed to capture more than just Edwards’ public persona, delving into the private side of the man behind the headlines.
The series, which also stars Osian Morgan as a young man known as “Ryan,” explores Edwards’ double life that culminated in his arrest and retreat from public view. Reflecting on his preparation, Clunes notes, “I was familiar with Huw Edwards as the newsreader, but I recognized the need to portray the contrast between his on-screen presence and his off-air self.” He adds that Edwards’ natural Welsh rhythms and demeanor emerged more strongly when not reading the news, a nuance Clunes sought to bring to his portrayal.
Discussing the story’s significance, Clunes remarks, “I wasn’t initially aware of all the details, but exploring how someone so familiar on our screens could lead such a hidden life was essential for this drama.” Edwards, aged 64, received a six-month suspended prison sentence in 2024 after admitting to creating indecent images of children. The drama sensitively reveals the impact on Ryan, the young man who encountered Edwards at age 17, exploring the profound effects on him and his family.
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Clunes acknowledges the challenges of the role, describing the script as powerful and commending the drama for intelligently handling difficult subject matter. He states, “The media spotlight often focuses on the fallen figure, but the story of Ryan and his family is just as important — their lives were turned upside down.” Although the production included transcripts of text messages between Edwards and Ryan, the intimate nature of their communications meant some material couldn’t be fully depicted.
While Clunes has recently taken on darker characters, he maintains that his choices aren’t calculated but driven by the story’s demands. “I’ve portrayed villains before, and I’ve balanced those with lighter roles like Doc Martin,” he says. “Acting often involves taking risks — you have to leap and trust you’ll land well. I gave this role my all, confident it was in good hands.”
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards airs on Channel 5 from March 24.