BBC orders ’90s Welsh drama ‘Men Up’ from makers of ‘It’s a Sin’

Stars from Game of Thrones, Dunkirk, and Sanditon have joined the cast of Men Up.

From the executive producers of hit 1980s drama It’s a Sin, the BBC’s upcoming TV movie is inspired by the remarkable true story of one of the world’s first medical trials for the drug that became Viagra.

Set in Swansea in 1994, the one-off 90-minute drama is described as a story of “heart, soul, complex characters, with humour and drama at the centre.”

Men Up will follow a group of ordinary middle-aged Welsh men as they take part in one of the first clinical trials for an unknown drug which later became the little blue pill changed lives for millions across the globe.

We’ve got a first look at the film here:

The cast includes Iwan Rheon, best know as the terrifying Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones, with Aneurin Barnard (Dunkirk), Alexandra Roach (Sanditon), Joanna Page (Gavin & Stacey), and Katy Wix from Ghosts.

They’re joined by Phaldut Sharma (Sherwood), Paul Rhys (A Discovery of Witches), Steffan Rhodri (House of the Dragon), Mark Lewis Jones (The Phantom of the Open), Alexandria Riley (The Pact), Nathan Sussex (It’s A Sin), Lisa Palfrey (Sex Education), and Dyfan Dwyfor (A Very English Scandal).

The official synopsis reads: “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?”

You might recognise Welsh actor Aneurin Barnard from his role as Boris Drubetskoy in 2016’s War and Peace adaptation.

Men Up writer Matthew Barry commented: “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.”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added: “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 will premiere on BBC One and streaming on BBC iPlayer later this year.

Executive producer Russell T Davies recently debuted his latest drama Nolly on ITVX, starring Helena Boham Carter as Crossroads icon Noele Gordon.

Davies is also the writer of A Very English Scandal, The Grand, and It’s a Sin.

It’s a Sin is available to watch on HBO Max with a free 7-day trial.