Russell T Davies executive produces the feature length Man Up with his long-time collaborator Nicola Shindler.
It was fresh information to us that early medical trials of the drug Viagra were performed in Swansea. Now, those trials have inspired a new drama, Men Up from writer Matthew Barry (Industry, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina).
Men Up promises an impressive Welsh cast; pictured are Mark Lewis Jones (Gangs of London), Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones), Steffan Rhodri (House of the Dragon) and Phaldut Sharma (Sherwood).
Additionally, the show includes forthcoming Doctor Who guest star Aneurin Barnard and Torchwood‘s Alexandria Riley. Plus, Alexandra Roach, Paul Rhys, Joanna Page, Nathan Sussex, Lisa Palfrey, Dyfan Dwyfor and Katy Wix.
Here’s the premise for Men Up:
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 (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 hiding the truth from their loved ones – including their wives and partners Ffion Jenkins (Roach) and Teresa Rigby (Palfrey) 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.”
Executive producer Russell T Davies
The show, a 90-minute drama comes from Quay Street Productions and Boom; written by Matthew Barry, it’s directed by Ashley Way and produced by Karen Lewis. The executive producers are Nicola Shindler (Nolly, It’s A Sin) and Davina Earl for Quay Street Productions, Rachel Evans for Boom, Matthew Barry and Russell T Davies (Doctor Who), and Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC.
Writer Matthew Barry previously worked with Shindler and Davies on their 2015 drama Banana, part of the Cucumber, Banana, Tofu series for Channel 4.
Executive producer Russell T Davies posted from the drama’s table read:
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We’ll keep you posted on Men Up.