Clunes’ portrayal of Edwards was described as “career-defining” and “amazing”.
The drama recounts the events that led to the disgraced presenter Edwards pleading guilty to making indecent images of children in July 2024.
Edwards was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Martin Clunes is known for his role in Doc Martin but more recently has appeared in new films Wuthering Heights with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi and Mother’s Pride with James Buckley.
Martin Clunes stars as Huw Edwards in a new gripping drama exploring the newsreader’s hidden double life and his fall from public view.
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards. Coming 24th March, 9pm. Watch | Stream on 5 #martinclunes #power #drama pic.twitter.com/mMqK7SdC8i
— Channel 5 (@channel5_tv) March 12, 2026
Martin Clunes puts in ‘career-defining performance’ in Huw Edwards drama
Before the drama aired, former BBC broadcaster Edwards broke his silence this week and said it is “hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened”.
On X, Channel 5 viewers were full of praise for Martin Clunes and his performance, with one saying: “No wonder Huw Edwards is furious; this drama is damning, and Martin Clunes is giving a career defining performance.
“He deserves a BAFTA. Absolultey riveting. #TheDownfallOfHuwEdwards”.
Someone else commented: “Martin Clunes is a very fine actor, but tonight he was unnerving as news reader Huw Edwards in the dramatisation of Edward’s grooming of young men.
“In fact, he was so good he was repellent.
“There were quite a few sequences hard to take.”
Martin Clunes’ most memorable roles
This person added: “Martin Clunes in Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards on Channel 5 is amazing”.
Another said: “Martin Clunes being in the Huw Edwards drama, Wuthering Heights, Mother’s Pride and the American Doc Martin really shows his range as an actor”.
Others congratulated the creators of the show: “Well done for giving that lad the voice the courts never did.
“I hope that’s the last we ever see of Huw Edwards!!”
Someone else said: “That ending of Huw Edwards reading the news was genius.
Recommended reading:
“Well done to the writers. And an important message in this story. #TheDownfallOfHuwEdwards”.
How to watch Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards
If you missed the drama’s release last night, you can catch up and watch it on My5.
Did you watch it last night? Tell us what you thought of Martin Clunes’ acting in the comments below.
