Martin Clunes Uncovers Hidden Truths in Huw Edwards Drama
Martin Clunes has opened up about his challenging role as disgraced BBC newsreader Huw Edwards in an upcoming Channel 5 feature-length drama, revealing that even he was unaware of the complete story before taking on the project. The Doc Martin star, 64, spoke candidly at a screening event about how the public likely shares his initial ignorance regarding the scandal's full extent.
The Drama's Revealing Narrative
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards is scheduled to air on March 24 on Channel 5 and its streaming service My5. The film details the relationship between Edwards and a young man named Ryan, portrayed by Osian Morgan, involving messaging exchanges and substantial financial payments for sexual images. Clunes admitted his first reaction to receiving the script was humorous, joking that 'Michael Sheen is busy' when his agent presented the opportunity.
The actor emphasized that the name Huw Edwards alone represents a significant story, but confessed 'I didn't know the story until I read it.' He believes this experience will mirror that of viewers watching at home, stating that nobody in the screening room knew the complete narrative before viewing the film.
Public Perception and Media Confusion
Clunes reflected on the media coverage surrounding the scandal, noting 'There was a lot of fudgery around it.' He described how initial reports vaguely identified 'a top BBC star' before multiple presenters denied involvement, followed by public sympathy for Edwards until the contents of his phone were revealed.
'I think maybe everybody had lost interest by that point, because the next bit of news had come along. Donald Trump had done something,' Clunes remarked about the shifting public attention. The timeline reveals that in July 2023, reports emerged about a BBC presenter paying a teenager for sexual images, with Edwards later identified by his wife as he entered inpatient treatment.
Legal Consequences and Production Details
Nearly a year after the initial reports, Edwards faced legal consequences, receiving a suspended jail sentence for three charges of making indecent images of children. He is now registered as a sex offender. The Channel 5 trailer showcases intimate phone conversations between Edwards and the young man, scenes that Clunes and Morgan filmed together to achieve authenticity.
Clunes explained their unique approach: 'Traditionally in television and film, [phone calls] are done abysmally with somebody reading it very badly for the other person, because they're not booked that day. But we were booked every day we had those scenes.' This method created what Clunes described as 'that genuine intimacy of those overlong phone calls you'd have with a young girlfriend or something.'
Character Portrayal and Accent Work
The actor also discussed his interpretation of Edwards' distinctive Welsh accent, clarifying that it represents his personal version rather than an exact reproduction. 'It's my version of him, that's all it was ever going to be,' Clunes stated. 'But there's enough out there of him. We watched him every night and he sort of seeps in.'
Clunes emphasized that taking on this role presented a significant professional challenge, not only due to the sensitive subject matter but also because of the public's fragmented understanding of events. The drama aims to provide a comprehensive narrative that clarifies what Clunes believes many people never fully grasped about the scandal's details and implications.
