Martin Clunes Defends Decision to Portray Disgraced Newsreader Huw Edwards

Actor Martin Clunes has issued a defiant response to critics regarding his role as Huw Edwards in the new Channel 5 drama, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards.

The two-part series, which premieres tonight, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, depicts the collapse of the former BBC anchor's career following his conviction for child sex offenses.

Martin Clunes stated that while the role is undoubtedly controversial, he believes the story is "important and shocking" enough to warrant a dramatic exploration of how such power and trust were betrayed.

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The drama focuses on the period between the 2022 announcement of Queen Elizabeth II's death and Huw Edwards’ ultimate exit from public life.

Martin Clunes underwent a physical transformation for the role, using subtle makeup and clever camera angles to recreate the newsreader’s specific mannerisms and appearance.

He spent months studying footage to capture the distinctive tone and posture that defined Huw Edwards' decades-long career at the heart of British broadcasting.

Ahead of the broadcast, Huw Edwards released a statement criticizing the production company, Wonderhood Studios, for failing to check the facts with him.

He claimed the creators made no attempt to verify the narrative before moving ahead and described the factual drama as unlikely to convey the reality of the events.

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Huw Edwards also suggested that the production might not comply with Ofcom's broadcasting standards regarding fairness and responsibility.

Channel 5 defended the project, noting that it builds on extensive research, court reporting, and interviews with key individuals, including the journalists who first broke the story.

Producers emphasized that they offered Huw Edwards an opportunity to respond to the allegations via his solicitors weeks before the air date.

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The network maintains that the series provides a necessary look at the human cost behind the headlines and raises urgent questions about online safety and grooming.