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Channel 5’s feature-length factual drama Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards premiered on March 24, 2026, and provoked strong reactions across British media and viewers.
The Wonderhood Studios production, starring Martin Clunes as the disgraced former BBC presenter, drew more than 1.5 million overnight viewers (a 17.4% share), outperforming typical 5 slot averages and beating several rival programmes (BBC1’s MasterChef averaged about 1.8m). The drama reconstructs the grooming and subsequent conviction that saw Edwards plead guilty in 2024 to making indecent images of children and receive a suspended sentence.
Channel 5 says the film was built on extensive interviews with the victim (played as “Ryan”), his family, journalists and court reporting and that allegations were put to Edwards’ solicitors six weeks before broadcast.
Edwards publicly condemned the production, saying producers did not check facts with him; he has said he plans to tell his own account.
Critics gave mixed reviews but widely praised Clunes’ performance.
The broadcast also prompted high-profile interviews — including contentious appearances by Edwards’ publicist — and renewed debate over the BBC’s attempts to recover salary paid to Edwards while he was suspended.
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HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Martin Clunes Defends New Drama After Criticism From Huw Edwards







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