The BBC have announced a feature-length drama Men Up, made by Quay Street Productions and Boom, for BBC One.
Writer Matthew Barry:
“Who knew that one of the first Viagra trials in the world took place in 1994…in Swansea! I’m beyond delighted to be working with Nicola, Russell, and the entire team to bring this extraordinary tale to the screen. People hear the word impotence, and they wait for the punchline. But this story is about so much more. And with an incredible Welsh cast, led by Iwan Rheon and Alexandra Roach, I can’t wait to bring it to the screen.”
Men Up is inspired by the remarkable true story of one of the world’s first medical trials for the drug that became Viagra, held in Swansea’s Morriston Hospital in 1994.
Casting for the drama includes Iwan Rheon, Aneurin Barnard, Steffan Rhodri, Alexandra Roach, Phaldut Sharma, Mark Lewis Jones and Paul Rhys to name only a few.
Years before the little blue pill changed the lives of millions across the globe, a group of ordinary middle-aged Welsh men underwent the extraordinary, taking part in one of the first clinical trials for an unknown drug which later became Viagra.
Meurig Jenkins (Rheon), Colin White (Rhodri), Tommy Cadogan (Rhys), Peetham ‘Pete’ Shah (Sharma) and Eddie O’Connor (Jones) all have one thing in common. Impotency.
It’s affecting them in every aspect of their lives, as they are drowning in shame and silence. Left feeling as failures as men, questioning their manhood, and having attempted their own fixes to no avail, the group is presented with a lifeline: a place on a trial for an unknown drug thought to cure impotence led by the ambitious Dr Dylan Pearce (Barnard) with support from clinical nurse Moira Davies (Page). As each man grapples with their own insecurities and hide the truth from their loved ones – including their wives and partners who are also fighting their own battles – will this little pill be able to bring back their spark?
Mixing drama with humour, Men Up is a poignant and beautiful story in which a group of unassuming men rise to the challenge to reclaim their sex lives.
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama:
“Men Up is a little-known chapter of our history, beautifully told across 90 minutes of poignant, funny, and life-affirming television. It’s no surprise that Matthew’s charming and intelligent script has attracted such a strong ensemble of acting talent, and I cannot wait to see them bring his words to life.”
Men Up is written by Matthew Barry, directed by Ashley Way and produced by Karen Lewis. The executive producers are Nicola Shindler and Davina Earl for Quay Street Productions, Rachel Evans for Boom, Matthew Barry, Russell T Davies, and Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC. Quay Street Productions are currently riding a wave of critical praise and viewer praise for their drama about ATV legend and television pioneer Noele Gordon in Nolly for ITVX.
