Martin Clunes Takes on Huw Edwards Role in New TV Drama
Acclaimed actor Martin Clunes is set to portray the disgraced former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards in a forthcoming feature-length drama titled Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards. The film, directed by Michael Samuels, delves into the scandal that led to Edwards' conviction and exit from public life, with Clunes emphasizing the importance of telling the victim's story beyond the media frenzy.
The Downfall of a Trusted Broadcaster
Huw Edwards was once one of Britain's most recognisable and trusted newsreaders, a prominent figure on BBC's News at Ten for decades. He delivered major national announcements, including the death of Queen Elizabeth II, but his career unravelled in July 2023. A national newspaper reported that a top BBC star had paid a teenager for sexual images, and days later, Edwards' wife publicly named him as the presenter involved. He resigned from the BBC in April 2024 and was charged in June 2024 following a Metropolitan Police investigation.
In September 2024, Edwards pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children at Westminster Magistrates' Court. He received a six-month jail term, suspended for two years, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the high-profile broadcaster.
Clunes' Motivation and Approach to the Role
Martin Clunes, 64, best known for roles in Doc Martin and Men Behaving Badly, admitted that portraying Edwards was a significant challenge. He explained his motivation for taking on the sensitive role, stating, "Beyond the salacious curiosity around this story, I really thought there was another story worth telling, that of 'Ryan' and his family." Clunes highlighted that while the media focused on Edwards as the "fallen big man," the drama aims to shed light on the young man and his family whose lives were profoundly affected.
In preparation, Clunes meticulously reviewed archive footage of Edwards to understand the man behind the newsreader persona. He noted, "I noticed from looking at that archive that he was different when he wasn't reading the news, and I wanted to make that distinction. If you listen to his rhythms, he's far more Welsh when he's not newsreading." This attention to detail was crucial to avoid merely imitating Edwards' public face.
Challenges of Sensitive Subject Matter
The drama is based on first-hand interviews and incorporates text messages exchanged between Edwards and the young man, played by Osian Morgan. Clunes acknowledged the emotional toll of the role, particularly in scenes depicting Edwards bullying Ryan. "It was hard towards the end of the story, hearing Osian's vulnerable voice when Edwards was bullying him, and the hurt of this boy reaching out in a sensitive way," he said. To cope, Clunes maintained a pragmatic and lighthearted approach off-set, despite taking the work seriously.
For phone call scenes, Clunes insisted on having both actors present in the same room to capture the intimacy of the exchanges. "Usually, if you film a phone call, the director or assistant director will read out the other lines, and you have to act to that. But because of the intimate nature of so many of these phone calls, we felt we couldn't do that," he explained. This collaborative effort with Morgan helped create a realistic portrayal.
Reflections on Dark Roles and Future Projects
Clunes is no stranger to dark roles, having played a murderer and other villainous characters in the past. He remains unfazed by how audiences might perceive him in this part, stating, "I've always been lucky enough to balance light-hearted jobs like Doc Martin with dramas in-between. I'm not desperate to reshape myself – I'd play someone like Doc Martin again in a heartbeat." He praised the collaborative environment, working with director Michael Samuels and a familiar camera crew from previous projects.
Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards is scheduled to air on Channel 5 on Tuesday, March 24, at 9pm. The drama promises to offer a nuanced exploration of power, vulnerability, and the human stories behind headline-grabbing scandals.
