How Martin Clunes has been supported by TV power player wife Philippa Braithwaite and their anti-nepo baby daughter after escaping a ‘rotten marriage’

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Martin Clunes has won unanimous praise for his latest role as disgraced newsreader Huw Edwards. 

This is a different kind of role for the popular comedic actor, building on his recent success in Emerald Fennel’s Wuthering Heights, where he appeared with Margot Robbie.

Martin seems to be starting a new phase in his career, playing the BBC newsreader in the Channel 5 drama about the Welshman’s downfall.

The 64-year-old actor is most famous for playing Dr. Martin Ellingham in the ITV series Doc Martin, which ran for 10 seasons from 2004 to 2022.

He’s also well-known for playing Gary Strange on the BBC sitcom Men Behaving Badly and William Shawcross in William and Mary.

Martin is a skilled professional, but his success in the industry is largely due to the support and achievements of his wife, Philippa Braithwaite.

Philippa has contributed to popular film and television shows, including her husband’s series, Manhunt and Doc Martin.

The popular TV couple got married in 1997. Before Philippa, Martin was married to actress Lucy Aston, and they divorced in the same year he married Philippa.

Reflecting on his divorce in a 2008 interview with the Mail’s Weekend Magazine, he admitted he wasn’t sure what he was looking for, though he suspected he might have been searching for something.

I unexpectedly met Philippa at a difficult time. I was recently out of a bad marriage and wasn’t interested in starting another relationship.

In 1999, they had a daughter named Emily. The family now lives on a 130-acre farm in Dorset, where they care for many animals, including cows, horses, sheep, chickens, dogs, and cats.

Though not widely known by the public, 61-year-old Philippa is a highly respected television producer in Britain who prefers to let her work receive the recognition, rather than seeking the spotlight herself.

Philippa prefers to keep her private life private, so details about her education before starting her career aren’t widely known.

Her career gained significant momentum in 1994 with the film Staggered, which helped launch her into the British film industry.

Four years later, she landed a major career opportunity, solidifying her reputation as a skilled producer with the successful 1998 film, Sliding Doors.

The movie, featuring Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah, was a hit around the world, earning $67 million despite only costing $6 million to make.

The success of Sliding Doors boosted Philippa’s career and led to further opportunities in television.

In 1989, after getting married, Martin and his wife started a business together called Buffalo Pictures.

The company wanted to maintain creative control and produce work responsibly. Rather than being based in London, they decided to operate from a rural location to achieve this.

The company are keen to champion environmental sustainability for film and TV.

They’re committed to reducing their environmental impact by using reusable water bottles, choosing eco-friendly snow options, and supporting businesses in their community.

The team is committed to sustainability, and their makeup artist, Alice Hopkins, has even created her own line of vegan, non-toxic skincare products. These products come in plastic-free packaging, further reducing environmental impact.

In 2004, Philippa launched Doc Martin which remains the biggest achievement of her career. 

The show, starring her husband in the lead role, was a major hit for ITV, lasting for 10 seasons and 79 episodes.

Philippa played a vital role in the show’s success, managing everything from the plot and actors to ensuring the story flowed smoothly.

For her next project, Philippa once again cast her husband in murder investigation drama Manhunt. 

The first season of the show told the real story of Amélie Delagrange, a French student who was murdered, and the investigation that followed, ultimately leading to her killer’s capture.

As executive producer, Philippa oversaw the show for two seasons, allowing her to delve into more complex and dramatic storylines.

The popular actress continues to thrive, with a new mini-series, ‘Out There,’ planned for 2025. She’s also set to executive produce her next project, ‘Best Medicine,’ which will start filming this year.

Throughout her career, she’s been nominated for awards many times, including twice for a BAFTA, but she’s consistently chosen to remain private and avoid excessive public attention.

Philippa grew up on a farm in Dorset, a life completely different from the glamorous world of entertainment.

The couple’s daughter, Emily, has decided to forge her own path, choosing a career as a horse veterinarian instead of taking advantage of her parents’ fame to get ahead.

A 26-year-old event rider is currently studying to become an equine veterinary nurse at Hartpury University, and shares all things riding on her Instagram account.

Martin’s new role as Huw Edwards is different from some of his previous work. He recently explained that he doesn’t try to predict how audiences will react, and unlike actors in long-running dramas, people haven’t mistaken him for the characters he’s played.

Ultimately, audiences simply watch an actor perform, and whether they like it or not is their own decision.

I’ve taken on dark characters before – I played a murderer in the past and portrayed a villain in ‘Wuthering Heights’. But I don’t really have a career plan; I just choose roles as they come up.

I’ve been fortunate to alternate between fun roles, like the one in Doc Martin, and more serious dramatic parts. I don’t feel the need to change my approach, and I’d happily take on a character like Doc Martin again.

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2026-03-26 03:55