Martin Clunes' On-Set Behaviour Labelled 'Awful' by Co-Star James Buckley
Renowned actor Martin Clunes, celebrated for his roles in Doc Martin and Men Behaving Badly, has been described as having an "awful" side by fellow actor James Buckley. The revelation emerged during a promotional interview for their new comedy film, Mother's Pride, sparking discussions about Clunes' conduct during filming.
The 'Awful' Habit That Disrupts Filming
James Buckley, best known for his role in The Inbetweeners, appeared alongside Martin Clunes on Virgin Radio's The Chris Evans Show earlier this month. While Buckley praised Clunes as "absolutely amazing," he highlighted a particular trait that causes major issues on set.
"What's awful about him, as well, working with him, is that he's - and I mean this lovingly - is that he's absolutely amazing, like on camera, and when the...as soon as the cameras roll, he's ready to go," Buckley explained. He continued, "As soon as they all cut, he's then mucking about and making everyone laugh, and I can't switch it off as good as you."
Host Chris Evans jokingly remarked that this habit must be "super annoying," to which Martin Clunes himself admitted that his tendency to joke around can be "really annoying" for fellow cast members. This candid exchange sheds light on the dynamic between the two actors during their collaboration.
Martin Clunes' Controversial Role as Huw Edwards
Simultaneously, Martin Clunes is garnering attention for his lead role in Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, a Channel 5 drama airing tonight (March 24) from 9:00pm to 10:50pm. The film explores the disgraced BBC newsreader's double life, following his 2023 suspension and 2024 conviction for possessing indecent images of children.
Clunes, who appears alongside Osian Morgan portraying alleged victim "Ryan," discussed his approach to the role. "I was familiar with Huw Edwards, the newsreader," he noted. "But I've seen other actors make the mistake of just inhabiting that projected face of a famous person or politician, I knew that we needed the other side of him too."
He emphasized the importance of capturing Edwards' off-screen persona, stating, "Finding archive clips of Edwards away from the news was less easy, but I wanted to make sure I did. 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 news reading."
Clunes added that while he didn't know all the details of the case, they are "extremely important" for the drama, posing the question, "How does something like this happen, with someone who is right in front of our faces every single night?"
Broader Implications for On-Set Dynamics
This disclosure from James Buckley highlights a common challenge in film and television production: balancing professionalism with levity. While Clunes' humorous antics may foster a positive atmosphere, they can disrupt focus and workflow for co-stars like Buckley, who struggle to match his ability to switch between modes.
The juxtaposition of Clunes' lighthearted on-set behaviour with his serious portrayal of Huw Edwards underscores the versatility and complexity of his career. As audiences tune in to Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, they witness an actor capable of navigating both comedic and dramatic realms, albeit with habits that occasionally irk his colleagues.
