AceShowbiz - Martin Clunes has spoken candidly about his role as disgraced BBC news presenter Huw Edwards in the groundbreaking two-part drama Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards. The series, airing on Channel 5 and its streaming platform My5 on March 24, dramatizes the chilling scandal that shocked the UK.

The drama centers on Edwards’ grooming of a vulnerable young man and his subsequent conviction on child abuse image charges. At a London screening event, the actor revealed how deeply involved the creative team was in researching the case. They meticulously examined police reports, media coverage, and spoke extensively with the victim and family, as well as journalists from The Sun, who initially exposed the story.

Clunes described the script by writer Mark Burt as “a really, really good read,” praising Burt’s skill as a dramatist. He acknowledged the name “Huw Edwards” carries significant weight in British broadcasting history, but admitted he was unaware of the full extent of the scandal until reading the script.

Once one of the UK’s most trusted newsreaders, Edwards was known for anchoring major events including the coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s death and the 2012 London Olympics. However, his career ended abruptly in 2024 after being convicted of serious child sexual offences. Prior to his conviction, it emerged that Edwards, who is married with children, had solicited explicit photos from young men and groomed a 17-year-old.

The drama reveals a disturbing connection: the young man groomed by Edwards was introduced to him through Alex Williams, an online acquaintance who had sent Edwards child abuse images from December 2020 to August 2021. Edwards pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images, including the most extreme Category A images, and received a six-month suspended sentence.

Some critics have questioned whether the dramatization is being released too soon after Edwards’ conviction. However, executives at Channel 5 emphasized the importance of educating the public on the mechanics and dangers of grooming. An executive at the screening event stated the show’s intent “to show how grooming works and the insidiousness of grooming.”

Discussing how the role came to him, Clunes joked about his initial reaction: “My first thought was, ‘Michael Sheen’s busy,’” eliciting laughter from the audience. When asked about mastering Edwards’ Welsh accent, he admitted it was his own interpretation rather than an exact mimicry. “He sort of seeps in a bit,” he explained, referencing the extensive footage the team watched to capture Edwards’ mannerisms.

Clunes emphasized his approach to portraying real-life figures: “My task is always just to breathe life into something with this, gather as much information as you can, especially about a real-life person, and then off you go.” He stressed the importance of investing each moment with authenticity based on the available information.

Co-star Osian Morgan, who plays the victim identified as “Ryan” (not his real name), shared his personal connection to the project. This role marked his first opportunity to portray a sympathetic character after a string of antagonist roles. Morgan expressed pride in taking on the role, calling it “one of the proudest moments in my journey thus far as an actor” and “one of the proudest things I’ve ever done in my life.” He praised Clunes as not only an exceptional actor but also “the nicest” person he has worked with.

Samantha Anstiss, CEO of Wonderhood Studios and executive producer of the drama, described the experience of reviewing the real text messages exchanged between Edwards and the victim as “going into the heart of darkness.” She highlighted the imbalance of power in these communications and the trauma-informed approach the production took to protect the victim from further harm. Anstiss said meeting the victim, “an incredible young man” with resilience and kindness, was a profound experience.

She also commended writer Mark Burt for his openness to making changes requested by the victim throughout the production process. “He was the absolute front and center of our production approach,” she said, ensuring sensitivity and respect were prioritized.

Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards promises to be a hard-hitting exploration of grooming and abuse within a high-profile public figure’s life, aiming to shed light on the complexities and dangers involved. The drama’s release is set for March 24 on Channel 5 and My5, inviting viewers to engage with this difficult but important story.