Martin Clunes as Huw Edwards

Anniebach

Thoughts posted on this thread shows knowledge of mental illness is no different to the 50’s, “ what has he got to be depressed about “ ,
Even criticism of a man who may have struggled with depression for years

Who has said that?

We can't know what goes on in other people's minds. What has been said is that MH issues do not excuse sex abuse, and that he could afford to pay for help. Are you suggesting that he didn't know that his urges were wrong?

I have read the whole thread, and if there are any posts saying 'what does he have to be depressed about?' I must have missed them.

Anniebach

Thoughts posted on this thread shows knowledge of mental illness is no different to the 50’s, “ what has he got to be depressed about “ ,
Even criticism of a man who may have struggled with depression for years

I've not read criticism of his MH struggles.

Edwards as a sex offender, is point to discussion, imo.

Norah

Anniebach

Thoughts posted on this thread shows knowledge of mental illness is no different to the 50’s, “ what has he got to be depressed about “ ,
Even criticism of a man who may have struggled with depression for years

I've not read criticism of his MH struggles.

Edwards as a sex offender, is point to discussion, imo.

Two different points, yes. .

His depression may be a result but not a causative factor, I would think. Research is still undergoing. Many people suffer with depression and do not turn to paedophilia. The converse is true, too. Many paedophiles do not suffer from depression.

I just couldn't watch it as imagining what might have been revealed turned my stomach, that poor little soul.

I think I am in the minority here. I have not watched the drama but read lots of reviews. Is this distateful stuff really what people want to watch?
The drama was made for entertainment and provided a platform for Martin Clunes to further his reputation as a very good actor.
Huw Edwards was convicted and sentenced in Sept, 2024. Surely people remember all the publicity then.
Is it wrong for Channel 5 and Martin Clunes to make and profit from such a sordid story? I think so.

Cocopops
Perhaps some might feel that justice has not been done and are surprised that Edwards shows more pity for himself than his victims, especially if he might feel justified in resurrecting some kind of career in media.

Sarnia

Thanks for taking the time to give that information, I appreciate it.

I'm conflicted about Edwards. I agree he has the right to publicly give his side/explanation/'interpretation' of the path he chose to go down, but I also believe that honest, objective, self-awareness, is probably extremely difficult - even for most stable and rational people, so I'm not sure how wise it is to 'go public', especially given the general public's apparent increasing scepticism about mental health as an explanation (or part-explanation?) for such behaviour.

If he is going to attempt to relaunch his career on the back of the mea culpa I think he might have hugely misjudged the public's 'graciousness' towards individuals in high-profile positions suspected or charged with the abuse of children and young adults, given what has come out of the Epstein files (and what may still be sitting around in said files - even if the legacy media has lost interest in that matter).

I don't know really how I feel, but I am left with this one thought - in spite of the fact that Edwards appears to have had a monstrous childhood (and I'm not dismissive of the effects that might have had on him) - he still had choices, and he chose sexual gratification. It might be my strong antipathy towards the patriarchy but I am heartily sick of the way it appears that society in general, and women in particular, have to adjust to / tolerate / forgive or 'manage' men's sexual transgressions. Especially when they involve the sharing of pornographic images of very young children.

I am heartily sick of the way it appears that society in general, and women in particular, have to adjust to / tolerate / forgive or 'manage' men's sexual transgressions. Especially when they involve the sharing of pornographic images of very young children

Hear, hear.
As you say, Edwards had choices and was also in a position of privilege and power which IMO he abused.

His career is washed up. The sentencing judge took that into account. He's on the sex register for another 5 1/2 years. His marriage is washed up. We don't know if he has a relationship with any of his 5 children. It's possible the drama will tip him right over the edge.

CocoPops

His career is washed up. The sentencing judge took that into account. He's on the sex register for another 5 1/2 years. His marriage is washed up. We don't know if he has a relationship with any of his 5 children. It's possible the drama will tip him right over the edge.

I am more concerned about his victims.

Not just the victim we know about, every photo of such photographs is of a victim of child sex abuse too.

every photo of such photographs

every child portrayed in such photographs

Yeah it was his father fault, his wife's fault, these men are as predictable as they are horrific.

I don't know really how I feel, but I am left with this one thought - in spite of the fact that Edwards appears to have had a monstrous childhood (and I'm not dismissive of the effects that might have had on him) - he still had choices, and he chose sexual gratification

It does not sound as if he had that monstrous a childhood in comparison to many people ad thry did not become paedophiles.

A father who was cold, distant and perhaps belittled him?
I have not seen it reported that his father abused him either physically or sexually.

As Galaxy says
Yeah it was his father fault, his wife's fault, these men are as predictable as they are horrific.

The judge was unduly lenient for some reason and seemed to make excuses for Edwards. 🤔

Add comment | Report | Private message | Quote Allira Thu 26-Mar-26 22:33:14
I don't know really how I feel, but I am left with this one thought - in spite of the fact that Edwards appears to have had a monstrous childhood (and I'm not dismissive of the effects that might have had on him) - he still had choices, and he chose sexual gratification

It does not sound as if he had that monstrous a childhood in comparison to many people ad thry did not become paedophiles.

A father who was cold, distant and perhaps belittled him?
I have not seen it reported that his father abused him either physically or sexually.

As Galaxy says
Yeah it was his father fault, his wife's fault, these men are as predictable as they are horrific.

The judge was unduly lenient for some reason and seemed to make excuses for Edwards.

All who commit murder have choices ? The judge seemed to make excuses ?

Yes and yes.

Anniebach
Of course the judge was unduly lenient. Someone found guilty of receiving the most serious indecent images of children could be sentenced to five years in prison.

Category A images are of children being raped. A short suspended sentence is very lenient for supporting this "industry." Paying for such images perpetuates the evil. The images would not be taken if no-one paid to view them. It is a sorry business.

HE was in a position of power, authority. He had the financial resources to seek therapy to help him overcome his sexual attraction to children.
Some of the images he used were of the most serious kind. Every child involved will have been physically and psychologically harmed.

Why should he, of all paedophiles be given a public platform to excuse or explain himself.

As for the impact on him of the tv drama? What about the impact on those used and abused for his perverted satisfaction

I m not at all bothered on the impact on him from the programme Iam I feel that it’s in poor taste to make an entertainment out of such a serious subject so close to it happening. In some years time maybe better.

A serious documentary now yes definitely, a drama however well written and acted (for me) should come later.

Pointless trying to have any discussion on HE, Clune drama is taken as truth

Anniebach

Pointless trying to have any discussion on HE, Clune drama is taken as truth

Bu the truth, as decided by the law is that he was a sex offender surely?

I haven't watched the drama, so won't comment on that or its accuracy but it is proven that HE enjoyed the downloaded images of children being sexually abused. Every photo involved an innocent child being used and abused for the sexual gratification of perverted men. That photo is forever. Each child will live with the effect of that abuse for the rest of their life. Some will go on to drug addiction or even commit suicide because they have been so damaged. And HE thinks we should listen to how his mental health issues, for which I would have sympathy, somehow explain or excuse his total lack of concern about his victims while indulging his perversion for which I have none. How egocentric do you have to be to not think you should live the rest of your life quietly away from any publicity. Especially having been treated so lightly by the sentencing judge.

sixandahalf

Anniebach

Pointless trying to have any discussion on HE, Clune drama is taken as truth

Bu the truth, as decided by the law is that he was a sex offender surely?

He was charged with making indecent images of children and sentenced for possession of such Category A images.

The sentence could have been much longer for offences such as this.

All because he suffered from depression? 🤔

I think the producers would gave bbeen very careful to stick to known facts as Edwards might sue them.

There is no reason to think that the events depicted in the programme are untrue. They are based on the testimony of the groomed young man and his family, and also on text messages and evidence presented to the court. Channel 5 would not be able to get away with anything that was not factual - they know they would be sued.

So I am not inclined to doubt the facts as depicted.

I think such programmes serve a useful purpose in reminding people what is going on behind the scenes and of the worrying tendency for big organizations like the BBC to not believe the whistleblowers. I do not see it as "entertainment", but at the same time it is possible to admire the skill of the actors, producers and camera operatives. It is an excellent example of good quality programme making.

Annie - do you think that HE has been misrepresented? Do you feel that his depression (which is hopefully now under treatment) might be relevant in motivating HE to commit these crimes?

I am sure we all abhor his crimes; the difference of view seems to centre on whether suffering from depression might initiate his behaviours and thus explain them. From my knowledge of working with people with mental health problems I do not think so. Depression does not usually cloud someone's moral judgement. A paedophilic tendency is hard to explain but I do not see any evidence that it is linked with any known mental illness. I think it is generally accepted that paedophilia is not caused by mental illness but is a basic personality disorder of unknown cause. The evidence for cure is very small.

Rosie, Allira and Lucky have expressed my feelings well.

I do understand why some feel the drama came soon after the events leading to the trial. My experience is that victims want this kind of programme, that draws attention to the way these dangerous men hide in plain sight. So often their victims and their families are blamed, or accused of only caring about financial compensation