Martin Clunes' Dramatic Shift: From Doc Martin to Huw Edwards in Channel 5 Drama
Martin Clunes has received widespread and unanimous praise for his latest acting role as the disgraced newsreader Huw Edwards. This portrayal marks a significant departure from the beloved comedy characters that have defined much of his career, such as Dr Martin Ellingham in the long-running ITV series Doc Martin, which aired from 2004 to 2022 across ten successful series.
The new Channel 5 drama chronicles the Welsh broadcaster's dramatic fall from grace, showcasing Clunes' ability to step into a more serious and challenging chapter of his professional life. Prior to this, the actor starred alongside Margot Robbie in Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Wuthering Heights, further demonstrating his versatility beyond his iconic sitcom roles in Men Behaving Badly and William and Mary.
The Power Behind the Scenes: Philippa Braithwaite's Influence
While Martin Clunes is undeniably talented in his own right, his career has been profoundly supported by his incredibly successful wife, Philippa Braithwaite. The television power couple married in 1997, with Clunes having previously been in what he described as a 'rotten marriage' to actress Lucy Aston, whom he divorced the same year he wed Philippa.
In a 2008 interview, Clunes reflected on this transition, stating, 'I don't know if I was searching for anything. Maybe I was. I kind of found it without looking. When I met Philippa I was coming out of a rotten marriage, and was very resistant to the idea of getting involved again.'
Philippa Braithwaite, though shying away from public attention, is one of Britain's most respected producers. Her career breakthrough came with the 1994 feature film Staggered, but it was the 1998 hit Sliding Doors, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah, that cemented her status. The film grossed $67 million against a $6 million budget, significantly expanding her reputation and opening doors to television work.
Building a Creative Empire: Buffalo Pictures and Sustainable Values
After marrying, Clunes and Braithwaite co-founded Buffalo Pictures, a production company prioritising creative independence and sustainable production values. Challenging the London-centric model, they operate from the countryside, with the family residing on a 130-acre farm in Dorset, home to cows, horses, sheep, chickens, dogs, and cats.
The company is keen on environmental sustainability, using reusable water bottles, biodegradable snow, supporting local businesses, and employing an eco-friendly makeup department. Their makeup designer even launched a brand of non-toxic vegan skincare with plastic-free packaging.
Philippa's most significant achievement remains launching Doc Martin in 2004, with her husband cast as the protagonist. The drama ran for 79 episodes over ten series, becoming a major ITV ratings success. She oversaw all aspects, from storyline to casting, ensuring narrative consistency. She later produced Manhunt, another series starring Clunes, which explored darker material based on true crime stories.
Family Life and Future Projects
The couple welcomed their daughter Emily in 1999, who has chosen a path outside the entertainment industry, forgoing any 'nepo baby' advantages to pursue a career as an equine vet. The 26-year-old is an event rider studying equine vet nursing at Hartpury University, with her Instagram dedicated to her passion.
Philippa shows no signs of slowing down, with upcoming projects including the mini-series Out There in 2025 and serving as executive producer on Best Medicine, set to begin filming this year. Despite multiple nominations, including two BAFTA nods, she remains focused on her work rather than public fame.
Reflecting on his diverse roles, Clunes recently said, 'I never try to second guess what the audience will think... I've played a murderer before and I'm vile in Wuthering Heights, so this isn't my first dark role. I've always been lucky enough to balance light-hearted jobs like Doc Martin with dramas in between.'
This balance, supported by his wife's behind-the-scenes expertise and their family's grounded lifestyle, continues to shape Clunes' evolving career as he takes on compelling new challenges like the Huw Edwards drama.
