Quay Street Productions and Boom are teaming up to produce feature length drama Men Up for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, in a co-commission with BBC Wales.
Written by Matthew Barry (Industry, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), 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.
Years before the little blue pill changed the lives for 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 (Iwan Rheon – Game of Thrones), Colin White (Steffan Rhodri – House of the Dragon), Tommy Cadogan (Paul Rhys – A Discovery of Witches), Peetham ‘Pete’ Shah (Phaldut Sharma – Sherwood) and Eddie O’Connor (Mark Lewis Jones – Gangs of London) 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 (Aneurin Barnard – Dunkirk) with support from clinical nurse Moira Davies (Joanna Page – Gavin and Stacey).
As each man grapples with his own insecurities, and hiding the truth from their loved ones 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.
Writer Matthew Barry said: “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.”
Davina Earl, executive producer for Quay Street Productions, added: “Men Up is one of those truly remarkable true stories that is a joy to be able to bring to the screen. This is the type of story that we love at Quay Street – one of heart, soul, complex characters, with humour and drama at the centre. With Matthew Barry’s fantastic script coupled with our stellar cast, audiences are in for a treat.”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: “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.”
Alongside writer Barry and the all-star cast, Men Up is directed by Ashley Way (White Lines, Stella, Merlin), and produced by Karen Lewis (The Salisbury Poisonings, Years and Years, Happy Valley). The executive producers are Nicola Shindler (Nolly, It’s A Sin, Happy Valley) and Davina Earl (Safe, Come Home) for Quay Street Productions, Rachel Evans (35 Diwrnod/35 Days, How This Blind Girl…) for Boom, Matthew Barry, Russell T Davies (Nolly, It’s A Sin, Doctor Who), and Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC.
Barry has previously worked with Shindler and Davies on their 2015 drama Banana, which was part of the Cucumber, Banana, Tofu series for Channel 4.
Men Up has received Welsh Government support via Creative Wales and is produced in association with Cineflix Rights, who will act as exclusive worldwide distribution partner. Quay Street Productions and Boom are both part of ITV Studios.
