Martin Clunes Portrays Huw Edwards in Channel 5's New Drama
Television stalwart Martin Clunes, renowned for his appearances in popular series such as Men Behaving Badly, Manhunt, and the beloved Doc Martin, is set to star in a new feature-length drama on Channel 5. The 64-year-old actor plays former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards in Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, scheduled to air on Tuesday, March 24. This one-off programme explores the broadcaster's dramatic fall from grace and also features performances by Osian Morgan, Sian Reese Williams, Jason Hughes, and Chanel Cresswell.
Martin Clunes' Diverse Acting Career
Martin Clunes is a well-known face on British television, best known for his role as Doctor Martin Ellingham in the popular drama Doc Martin, which ran from 2004 to 2022. Set in the sleepy Cornish fishing village of Portwenn, the series followed the life of the grumpy yet lovable GP, who had a brusque bedside manner and a phobia of blood. Prior to this, Clunes became a household name as Gary in the sitcom Men Behaving Badly, a portrayal that earned him a BAFTA award.
His extensive filmography includes roles in:
- Staggered
- Hunting Venus
- The Booze Cruise
- Saving Grace
- Jeeves and Wooster
- The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
More recently, he has starred as Mr Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights and as Nathan Williams in the TV mini-series Out There. In his latest project, Clunes takes on the challenging role of Huw Edwards, a departure from his typically light-hearted characters that may surprise some fans.
Clunes on Embracing Darker Roles
Speaking about his decision to portray Huw Edwards and whether he is actively seeking different types of roles at this stage in his career, Martin Clunes said: "I never try to second guess what the audience will think, and I've never been confused with any of my characters, like people in soap operas are. I think viewers just see an actor doing his best, and whether they approve or not is entirely up to them."
He added: "I’ve played a murderer before and I’m vile in Wuthering Heights, so this isn’t my first dark role, but I always just take work from what’s on offer, and I've never had a plan. 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."
Martin Clunes' Personal Life with Wife Philippa Braithwaite
Martin Clunes has been married to TV producer Philippa Braithwaite since 1997. Braithwaite has been instrumental in the creation of major film and television successes, including Sliding Doors, Manhunt, and Doc Martin, for which she served as producer throughout its run. The couple, who prefer to keep their relationship out of the spotlight, reside on a sprawling 130-acre farm in Dorset. Their home is shared with a variety of animals, including horses, cows, sheep, chickens, dogs, and cats.
After an intimate wedding ceremony in London, the pair welcomed a daughter, Ellie, who made a cameo appearance in an episode of Doc Martin during her childhood. She has since chosen to pursue a career in equestrianism, stepping away from the entertainment industry.
How to Watch the Drama
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards will be available to watch and stream on Channel 5 from Tuesday, March 24 at 9pm. This controversial drama promises to delve into the complexities of a high-profile media scandal, with Martin Clunes at the forefront of the narrative.
