Martin Clunes Recalls 'Chilling' Huw Edwards Clip While Preparing for Channel 5 Drama Role
Martin Clunes has detailed the extensive research he undertook to portray disgraced former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards in the forthcoming Channel 5 television series Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards. The 64-year-old actor, best known for roles in Doc Martin and Men Behaving Badly, described watching an archive clip of Edwards as "chilling" in light of the later revelations about the presenter's criminal conduct.
Extensive Footage Review for Authentic Portrayal
In an interview with The Times, Clunes explained that he examined a wide range of footage to capture Edwards' persona beyond his familiar newsreading duties. "I wanted to find bits where he wasn't reading the news, because we've seen that Huw Edwards," Clunes said. "Little snippets of him at awards ceremonies or when he was off duty, to see how he rolled. He's a tiny bit more Welsh when he's not reading the news."
One particular scene in the two-part drama, which airs later this month, depicts Edwards texting a teenager known by the pseudonym "Ryan Davies" just before presenting the Ten O'Clock News. Clunes highlighted a specific archive moment that informed this portrayal: "One of the archive bits I watched was an outside broadcast. He's outside Number 10 at night in a coat, and he's just texting, waiting to go live, which I found chilling in light of what we know."
Edwards' Downfall and Criminal Conviction
Huw Edwards, once a highly respected BBC presenter who fronted News at 10 for decades, saw his career collapse in 2024. The scandal began in July 2023 when The Sun reported allegations that a "top BBC Star" had paid a teenager for sexual images. Edwards' wife later identified him as the presenter in question, leading to his exit from the BBC.
In June 2024, Edwards was charged by the Metropolitan Police following an investigation. He pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children, admitting to possessing 41 photographs on WhatsApp, seven of which were classified as the most serious category. Edwards received a six-month jail sentence suspended for two years.
Clunes' Approach to the Role Without Judgment
Clunes emphasized that he aimed to avoid judging Edwards in his performance. "I never get into whether I like or dislike a character I'm playing. I don't think I've judged him in my performance. If it looks like I have, it's unintentional," he stated. This nuanced approach aligns with the drama's focus on charting Edwards' downfall and recreating his interactions with "Ryan Davies."
The series, directed by Michael Samuels of The Windermere Children and Any Human Heart fame, promises a detailed exploration of the events that led to Edwards' conviction. Clunes' preparation, including the review of chilling archive material, underscores the actor's commitment to delivering an authentic and compelling portrayal in this high-profile television drama.
