Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards cast

Martin Clunes will play Huw Edwards, the former BBC News presenter, in a new drama series on Channel 5. The series will tell the story of what led to Edwards leaving his job at the BBC.

The program has received some criticism, but a preview from TopMob called it a hard-hitting look at the misuse of power by a well-known person.

At the premiere, producer Samantha Anstiss praised her team at 5 for being willing to tackle a story that hadn’t received much attention, following it all the way through to the final verdict. She described them as ‘brave from the start’ for taking on this challenging project.

She said they remained completely committed throughout the entire process. They were determined to share the full story, both the good and the bad, and she believes it represents the best of public service broadcasting by tackling important and timely issues.

Clunes is clearly dedicated to playing the part, and a recent trailer revealed his impressive transformation into Edwards, even mimicking the former newsreader’s unique voice.

Here’s a look at the actors in ‘Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards’ before the TV film airs. It’s a tough and revealing story.

This article introduces the main people featured in the drama ‘Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards’. Keep scrolling to find detailed information about each character and the actors who play them, including where else you might recognize those actors from.

Martin Clunes as Huw Edwards
Osian Morgan as Ryan
Sian Reese Williams as Carys
Jason Hughes as Mick
Aisha-May Hunte as Sasha
Lorraine Burroughs as Angelica
Chanel Cresswell as Scarlet
Clare Calbraith as Victoria
Joseph Loane as Alex
Ben Bishop as Ben

Martin Clunes as Huw Edwards

Huw Edwards was a well-known and respected newsreader for the BBC, famously known for his coverage of major events like the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. However, in the summer of 2024, he was convicted of a serious offense involving the creation of indecent images of children.

I learned that Edwards had been messaging a teenager – who’s still kept their identity private – since they were both 17. This person, who the show ‘5’ called ‘Ryan,’ actually talked to the people making the show so they could share what happened from their point of view and make sure the story was as accurate as possible.

Edwards received a six-month suspended sentence and was required to register as a sex offender after admitting guilt two months prior.

Martin Clunes is famous for his work in a variety of TV shows and dramas. He’s well-known for comedies like Doc Martin, William and Mary, and Men Behaving Badly, and he’s also appeared in more serious roles in programs such as Vanity Fair, Manhunt, Out There, and Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights.

He recently appeared as the lead character’s father in Best Medicine, the American version of Doc Martin.

Osian Morgan as Ryan

Ryan is the teenage boy who received messages from Huw Edwards. His real name and other details were changed to protect his privacy. He’s a working-class boy from Wales who gets caught up in troubling situations due to the attention and influence of a well-known person.

Osian Morgan, the actor who plays Ryan, describes his character as someone who’s feeling lost and struggling with the challenges of growing up – that universal shift from boyhood to manhood.

Ryan is also struggling with a lot of personal issues – he’s unsure about his identity and sexuality. It’s heartbreaking to see how easily he’s taken advantage of and hurt.

Morgan was deeply impressed by Ryan’s resilience. He admitted he wouldn’t have been able to cope with the same challenges, and believes Ryan’s story will inspire many viewers when the film is released, not just through sharing his experiences, but also by demonstrating the courage to overcome a difficult period in his life.

Besides his recent role in the Sky mystery Under Salt Marsh with Kelly Reilly (known from Yellowstone), Osian Morgan has also appeared in Waterloo Road, the ITV soap Emmerdale, and the sitcom Ruby Speaking.

Sian Reese Williams as Carys

Carys is Ryan’s mother and is worried about him. She’s noticed he’s been withdrawing from people, not taking care of himself, and mysteriously having access to money.

I first really noticed Sian Reese-Williams when she was in Emmerdale as Gennie Walker – she was great for about five years! But she’s done so much more since then. I especially loved her in the Welsh crime drama, Hidden (or Craith, as it’s known in Welsh). She’s also appeared in shows like Hinterland, Line of Duty, and Wolf, plus a series called Waiting for the Out. She’s a really versatile actress and I’m always excited to see what she does next.

Jason Hughes as Mick

Who is Mick? Mick is Carys’ partner, who has a contentious relationship with her son.

Jason Hughes is well-known for playing Sergeant Ben Jones in over 50 episodes of the long-running mystery series, Midsomer Murders, and for his role in the popular 90s drama, This Life. He’s also appeared in shows like Three Girls, Marcella, and The Pact.

Chanel Cresswell as Scarlet Howes

Scarlet Howes is a reporter at The Sun newspaper. She was the first to publish the story about a well-known BBC presenter, which became front-page news and caused a lot of public discussion. The story eventually centered around Huw Edwards.

Chanel Cresswell is widely recognized for her roles in Shane Meadows’s This Is England series, particularly earning a BAFTA nomination for her work in the 90s finale. She’s also appeared in shows like Trollied on Sky, Vardy v Rooney: A Courtroom Drama on Channel 4, and The Gentlemen on Netflix.

Clare Calbraith as Victoria Newton

Who is Victoria Newton? Newton is the editor of The Sun newspaper.

Clare Calbraith is known for her roles as Sandy in the ITV drama Grace, alongside John Simm, and as Newsnight producer Sam McAllister in A Very Royal Scandal on Prime Video. She’s also appeared in Tell Me Everything on ITVX, as well as the popular series Unforgotten and Baptiste.

Ben Bishop as Ben O’Driscoll

Who is Ben O’Driscoll? Ben is a news editor at The Sun.

Besides his recent work, what other shows and movies has Ben Bishop appeared in? He’s recently been in the crime dramas Whitstable Pearl and Endeavour.

Lorraine Burroughs as Angelica

Angelica is a BBC News producer who worked with Huw Edwards and appeared to have a positive opinion of him before the recent allegations came to light.

Lorraine Burroughs is known for her roles in several TV shows and films. Recently, she appeared alongside Ella Purnell in the Sky drama Sweetpea. Her previous work includes Pennyworth (DC), Hard Sun (BBC One), DCI Banks, and the 2012 film Fast Girls.

Joseph Loane as Alex Williams

Alex Williams is a convicted sex offender who illegally shared images of children with Huw Edwards.

Joseph Loane recently appeared as Glenn in the Channel 4 drama In Flight, which starred Katherine Kelly. He’s also known for other roles, but this is one of his more recent projects.

Aisha-May Hunte as Sasha

Sasha is a friend of Ryan’s who lets him stay after he has a falling out with his family. However, their friendship is also complicated and often unstable.

Aisha-May Hunte has also starred in the Welsh drama Mudtown, as well as Itopia and Death Valley.

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

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Authors

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

I’m a huge fan of TV and streaming, so I follow the work of David Craig at TopMob closely. He’s their Senior Drama Writer, and basically keeps me up-to-date on all the best new shows – the dramas and comedies everyone’s talking about. Before TopMob, he was writing for Starburst Magazine and even hosted a podcast called ‘The Winter King’ for ITVX. He’s got a journalism background too, having studied it at the University of Sheffield, which probably explains his knack for great writing!

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2026-03-24 12:10