Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards cast – including Martin Clunes's side-by-side comparison
The former Doc Martin and Manhunt star takes on perhaps his most challenging role to date.
Martin Clunes is set to portray former BBC News presenter Huw Edwards in a new drama from 5, which explores the broadcaster's downfall.
The one-off feature-length programme certainly isn't without its detractors, although an advance preview from Radio Times praised it as an unflinching exploration of an abuse of power by a notable public figure.
At the premiere, producer Samantha Anstiss described her colleagues at 5 as "brave from the outset" for agreeing to explore the story behind the headlines – which has arguably been overlooked thus far – through to the eventual conviction.
"They have been totally unwavering all the way through," she revealed. "[They] wanted to tell this story through the rough and the smooth... It's proper public service broadcasting at its finest, and it's dealing with really urgent themes all the way."
Clunes is certainly taking the role seriously, with an earlier trailer showing his transformation into Edwards, including an uncanny adoption of the ex-newsreader's distinctive voice.
Here's an overview of the full Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards cast, ahead of the premiere of the hard-hitting TV film.
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards cast
Here's an overview of the key players in 5 drama Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards – scroll on for more detailed profiles on each person depicted and the actor playing them, including where you might have seen them before.
- Martin Clunes as Huw Edwards
- Osian Morgan as Ryan
- Sian Reese Williams as Carys
- Jason Hughes as Mick
- Aisha-May Hunte as Sasha
- Lorraine Burroughs as Angelica
- Chanel Cresswell as Scarlet
- Clare Calbraith as Victoria
- Joseph Loane as Alex
- Ben Bishop as Ben
Martin Clunes as Huw Edwards
Who is Huw Edwards? Huw Edwards used to be one of the most trusted voices in the country, owing to his many years of reliably presenting BBC News – including coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's death. This was until he was ultimately convicted of making indecent images of children in summer 2024.
In addition, Edwards had been messaging a teenager, who remains anonymous to this day, since they were 17 years old. This individual, referred to by the false name of 'Ryan' in 5's drama, was interviewed by the production team in order to give an accurate portrayal of his side of the story.
Two months after pleading guilty to his crimes, Edwards was given a six-month suspended sentence and placed on the sex offenders register.
What else has Martin Clunes been in? Clunes is known for comedic roles in Doc Martin, William and Mary, and Men Behaving Badly, as well as dramatic turns in Vanity Fair, Manhunt, Out There and Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights.
He recently made a guest appearance in Best Medicine, a US remake of Doc Martin, playing the lead character's father.
Osian Morgan as Ryan
Who is Ryan? Ryan represents the teenager that Huw Edwards messaged (Ryan was not his real name, and other changes may have been put in place to protect his anonymity). He is a working-class Welsh boy, who is drawn down a dark path by the influence of his famous benefactor.
Osian Morgan, who plays the role, said: "The Ryan we see is lost. He's going into adulthood, facing that transition from a boy to a man that everyone has to experience.
"On top of that, Ryan is in the midst of an identity crisis – he doesn't understand his sexuality or who he is. He is completely manipulated and used, it's incredibly sad."
Morgan added: "The way that Ryan overcame what happened to him is incredibly inspiring to me, I don't think I would have had his strength. He will be an inspiration to millions of others when the film airs, not just for sharing his story but for facing such a downward spiral and then mustering the courage to get out of that situation."
What else has Osian Morgan been in? The actor recently appeared alongside Yellowstone's Kelly Reilly in Sky mystery Under Salt Marsh. His other credits include high school drama Waterloo Road, ITV soap Emmerdale and sitcom Ruby Speaking.
Sian Reese Williams as Carys
Who is Carys? Carys is Ryan's mother, who is deeply concerned by her son's increasing distance, unhealthy habits and the money that he seems to be pulling from thin air.
What else has Sian Reese-Williams been in? Reese-Williams earned acclaim with her performance in Welsh crime drama Hidden / Craith. Other notable works include Hinterland, Line of Duty, Wolf and Waiting for the Out. She initially rose to prominence in the cast of Emmerdale, where she played Gennie Walker over a five-year period.
Jason Hughes as Mick
Who is Mick? Mick is Carys' partner, who has a contentious relationship with her son.
What else has Jason Hughes been in? Hughes is perhaps best known for his role in '90s hit drama This Life and perennial ITV mystery Midsomer Murders, where he played Sergeant Ben Jones across more than 50 episodes. Other credits include Three Girls, Marcella and The Pact.
Chanel Cresswell as Scarlet Howes
Who is Scarlet Howes? Scarlet is a reporter for The Sun, who ultimately broke the famous 'BBC star' news story, which appeared on the newspaper's front page to great shock and speculation. It was later revealed to be about Edwards.
What else has Chanel Cresswell been in? Cresswell is best known for her work across Shane Meadows's various This Is England projects, with her performance in the 90s-set finale earning a BAFTA nomination. You might also know her from Sky's Trollied, Channel 4's Vardy v Rooney: A Courtroom Drama and Netflix's The Gentlemen.
Clare Calbraith as Victoria Newton
Who is Victoria Newton? Newton is the editor of The Sun newspaper.
What else has Clare Calbraith been in? She plays the role of Sandy in ITV's Grace, opposite John Simm, and recently portrayed Newsnight producer Sam McAllister in Prime Video's A Very Royal Scandal. Other credits include ITVX's Tell Me Everything, Unforgotten and Baptiste.
Ben Bishop as Ben O'Driscoll
Who is Ben O'Driscoll? Ben is a news editor at The Sun.
What else has Ben Bishop been in? Bishop has recently appeared in crime dramas Whitstable Pearl and Endeavour.
Lorraine Burroughs as Angelica
Who is Angelica? Angelica is a producer for BBC News, who works closely with Huw Edwards and seemingly admires him prior to the scandal unfolding.
What else has Lorraine Burroughs been in? Burroughs recently appeared opposite Ella Purnell in her darkly comic Sky drama Sweetpea. Earlier credits include DC's Pennyworth, BBC One's Hard Sun, DCI Banks and 2012 indie flick Fast Girls.
Joseph Loane as Alex Williams
Who is Alex Williams? Alex Williams is a convicted sex offender who provided illegal images of children to Huw Edwards.
What else has Joseph Loane been in? He recently played the supporting role of Glenn in Channel 4 drama In Flight, starring Katherine Kelly.
Aisha-May Hunte as Sasha
Who is Sasha? Sasha is a friend of Ryan's, who takes him in after a fallout with his parents – but their own relationship also proves to be highly volatile.
What else has Aisha-May Hunte been in? Hunte has previously appeared in Welsh drama Mudtown, Itopia and Death Valley.
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards premieres on 5 on Tuesday 24 March 2026.
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Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
