UNRECOGNISABLE: MARTIN CLUNES IN BBC’S DARKEST DRAMA YET Forget everything you think you know about Martin Clunes. In a brutal, two-part BBC drama inspired by a real broadcasting scandal, Clunes delivers what many are calling a career-defining performance — portraying a once-untouchable TV figure whose polished public persona masks a predatory double life. The series does not hold back. It explores grooming, power imbalance, institutional silence, and the devastating consequences when status shields wrongdoing. What begins as subtle manipulation spirals into exposure, conviction, and total public downfall. There’s no comfort here. No soft edges. Just a stark reminder of how abuse of power can hide in plain sight — and the damage left behind when it finally collapses. Viewers are already calling it “deeply unsettling” and “impossible to forget.” Will you be watching?

hannel 5 has unveiled a first look at its upcoming two-part factual drama, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, starring Martin Clunes as the titular, disgraced BBC presenter – and he looks unrecognisable.

The series, which is produced by Wonderhood Studios by 5, explores how a vulnerable 17-year-old was groomed by one of the most powerful figures in television.

© Channel 5 / Getty Images

According to the synopsis, the drama delves into the Welsh newsreader’s “double life as it spirals out of control, leading him to make the greatest announcement of his career – his total exit from public life following his conviction for serious child sexual offences”.

Intrigued? Here’s all we know about the show so far.

What is Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards about?

The series explores the downfall of Huw Edwards, who was one of Britain’s most trusted and high-profile newsreaders. He was chosen to lead the coverage of major royal and political events, including the announcement of Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022.

© Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

But, away from the cameras, Edwards had a secret. The synopsis continues: “Online, he was repeatedly soliciting explicit sexual photos from young men, and in particular grooming a vulnerable 17-year-old. He had also struck up a separate online friendship with a man who, from December 2020 to August 2021, repeatedly sent him messages containing child abuse imagery which he accessed, including so called ‘Category A’ images – the most extreme.

© Geoff Robinson/Shutterstock

“In July 2023, Edward’s secrets started to unravel rapidly after a national newspaper reported that ‘a top BBC star’ had paid a ‘teenager for sexual pictures’. Separately, the police started to investigate Edwards’ online activity, leading him to plead guilty to making indecent images of children at Westminster Magistrates Court.”

The new series builds on extensive factual research, including first hand interviews and co-operation from those at the centre of the scandal and exclusive access to The Sun newspaper’s investigation into Edwards, to bring an “unflinching” drama to our screens.

© Aaron Chown – PA Images

The show paints a “complex, emotional and nuanced portrait, revealing how the grooming of a vulnerable 17-year old over many months led to Edwards’ downfall, disgrace and the end of his life in the public eye”.

Who stars in the new drama?

Martin Clunes, 64, who is known for his roles in Manhunt, Doc Martin and Out There, stars as Huw Edwards. Further casting details have yet to be announced.

Martin is no stranger to playing real-life figures, having portrayed real-life London Met detective Colin Sutton in ITV’s gripping crime drama, Manhunt, as well as author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, in ITV’s Arthur & George. 

© ITV/Shutterstock

The BAFTA-nominated actor has long been one of Britain’s most-loved talents thanks to his versatility, natural authenticity and commanding screen presence. While he established his career in comedic roles such as the 1990s sitcom Men Behaving Badly, Martin has seamlessly transitioned to hard-hitting dramas, having starred in the likes of Manhunt, Out There and A Mother’s Son. Viewers can undoubtedly look forward to a compelling performance in the new 5 series.

As for the creative team, the show is penned by Mark Burt (The Trial), while BAFTA and Emmy winner Michael Samuels (The Windermere Children, Any Human Heart) directs.

When will Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards be released?

A release date has yet to be announced, but stay tuned as we’ll keep you posted.