Martin Clunes reveals key element that helped him through filming “uncomfortable” Huw Edwards drama

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Martin Clunes has admitted the challenging scenes in ‘Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards’ would have been impossible to film without a crucial support system.

This single drama stars an actor playing Huw Edwards, the former BBC News presenter known for his long and respected career, which ended when he admitted to creating indecent images of children after a public scandal.

The program will not only show how presenter Rhys Edwards lost his career, but also tell the story of ‘Ryan’ – a young person he harmed, played by actor Osian Morgan.

In a recent interview, actor Julian Clunes discussed the challenges of portraying difficult subjects, like in the drama ‘Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards.’ He acknowledged that these kinds of stories can be emotionally demanding, but emphasized that tackling such roles is simply part of an actor’s work.

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It can be challenging when a role isn’t clearly defined and it’s hard to measure your success, he explained. However, we had access to text message exchanges between Huw Edwards and Ryan, and we were able to incorporate those conversations into the script, bringing them to life.

Clunes described the later parts of the story as difficult to watch, particularly the scenes where Osian was being bullied by Edwards and desperately tried to connect with someone. He admitted feeling upset after filming those scenes.

Even though Edwards and Ryan spoke to each other by phone, Clunes and Morgan were both on set during their scenes. They did this to support each other’s acting and make their connection feel more genuine and close.

Clunes also mentioned that it was helpful to have Osian nearby for a chat after difficult or upsetting scenes.

One of the biggest factors in helping Clunes tackle such a difficult role was his existing rapport with the team working on ‘Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards,’ which made him feel secure and comfortable.

I was happy to be working with the same camera crew from the ITV drama Out There – they’re fantastic, and it felt like being with friends. I really don’t think I could have managed it any other way, he said.

According to 5’s synopsis, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards “paints an unflinching portrait of what it is like for the vulnerable to be groomed by powerful figures, revealing how Edwards seized on and exerted control over the young man, leaving lasting consequences”.

Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards premieres on 5 on Tuesday 24 March 2026.

Don’t miss ‘Add Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards’! Watch it on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now to get daily TV recommendations and exclusive features.

Authors

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig writes about TV and streaming dramas and comedies for TopMob. Before that, he worked at Starburst Magazine and hosted The Winter King Podcast on ITVX. He’s a journalism graduate from the University of Sheffield.

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2026-03-17 11:37