Martin Clunes admitted he entered the world of Huw Edwards’s scandal largely unaware of the full, disturbing truth. He discovered the details not through headlines, but while preparing to portray the disgraced newsreader in an upcoming drama.
Clunes believes the feature-length film, “Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards,” will reveal a story largely unknown to the public. The drama centers on the presenter’s interactions with a young man, Ryan, and the exchange of money for explicit images – a reality that unfolded with shocking consequences.
At a preview screening, Clunes jokingly recalled his initial reaction to receiving the script: “My first thought was, Michael Sheen is busy.” But beyond the initial challenge, he found himself drawn into a narrative he hadn’t fully grasped, a story that resonated with a disturbing complexity.
He posed a question to the audience: “Did anybody here know the whole story before this afternoon?” The resounding answer, he observed, was no. A veil of ambiguity initially surrounded the scandal, with initial reports referring only to “a presenter” and a flurry of denials.
A shift in public sentiment occurred when the contents of Edwards’s phone were revealed. Clunes noted a curious phenomenon: “There was sympathy for Huw Edwards, until they found what was on his phone.” The initial wave of support quickly dissipated as the gravity of the situation became clear.
The scandal broke in July 2023 with reports of a “top BBC star” paying a teenager for images. Days later, Edwards’s wife publicly identified him as the presenter, revealing he had sought treatment in an inpatient facility. The revelation marked a turning point in a story that had captivated the nation.
Nearly a year later, Edwards faced charges and ultimately received a suspended jail sentence for making indecent images of children. He is now registered as a sex offender, a stark consequence of his actions and a permanent mark on his legacy.
The drama aims to portray the intimate, unsettling nature of Edwards’s correspondence with Ryan. Clunes and Osian Morgan, who plays Ryan, filmed their phone call scenes together, ensuring a sense of genuine connection and shared space. This approach, Clunes explained, avoided the typical pitfalls of poorly executed on-screen phone conversations.
Clunes also discussed the challenge of replicating Edwards’s distinctive Welsh accent, acknowledging that his portrayal is an interpretation rather than a perfect imitation. “It’s my version of him,” he stated, “but there’s enough out there of him. We watched him every night and he sort of seeps in.”
The film promises a detailed and unflinching look at a scandal that shook the BBC and captivated the public, revealing a story far more complex and disturbing than many initially realized.
