Martin Clunes Defends New Drama After Criticism From Huw Edwards

Martin Clunes is standing by his work in the 5’s Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards, after it faced criticism from its subject.

The Wuthering Heights star takes the lead in the feature-length drama, which aired on Tuesday night, telling the story of the ex-BBC News presenter’s very public fall from grace.

On the morning the drama aired, Clunes made an appearance on Good Morning Britain, where he was asked how he felt about Edwards’ recent comments slamming the TV movie.

“I appreciate he’s upset by the fact that we’ve made this programme,” the Bafta winner said.

“But [Edwards] would have reported on other [people’s] downfalls and other people’s disgraces [when he was working for BBC News].”

He added later in the conversation: “If anybody thinks it’s too soon, don’t watch it.

“I don’t think it’s too soon – I don’t know what the timetable is for these things.”

A 5 spokesperson responded to Edwards’ comments earlier this week saying: “Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards is based on extensive interviews with the victim, his family, the journalists who revealed his story, text exchanges between the victim and Edwards, and court reporting.

“It has been produced in accordance with Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code. All allegations made in the film were put to Huw Edwards via his solicitors six weeks before transmission.”

Like Clunes, the broadcaster’s chief content officer brushed off the suggestion it was “too soon” for a TV drama about the Edwards scandal, insisting: “If you want to reach as many people as possible and highlight how grooming works and the insidiousness of grooming, drama is [the] most powerful way to do it.”

He also said that Power offered “a different side of the story”, while the show itself shone a light on the more “serious issue” of “the grooming of young men and abuse of power”.

Clunes has received widespread praise for his leading performance in the drama, although the response to the show itself has been decidedly more mixed.

Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards is now streaming on 5’s catch-up service.