MEN UP TV MOVIE
NEW IMAGES FROM BBC
After announcing it a few months ago, BBC has now sent us new images from their TV movie MEN UP which will air on BBC One and stream on their iPlayer later this year following five ordinary Welshmen who embark on an extraordinary journey when they take part in the trial of a new drug which would later become Viagra.
THIS NEW FEATURE DRAMA
is inspired by the remarkable true story of one of
the world's first Medical Trials for the drug, held in Swansea’s
Morriston Hospital in 1994 which not only transformed the lives of the
medics and patients involved; but also changed the lives of millions
worldwide. The drug quickly became one of the most controversial and
profitable in history, reshaping how we talk about sexual and mental
health in the process. In this fictionalised account, Meurig (Iwan Rheon) yearns for intimacy with his wife, Ffion (Alex Roach). He loves her with all his heart but feels trapped by his inability to rekindle the spark in their marriage.
There’s Tommy (Paul Rhys), a gay man who desperately lies about
his sexuality because the trial was set up for straight sex. Spurred on
by his friend and clinical nurse Moira Davies (Joanna Page), how far will his lies go to find happiness? Colin (Steffan Rhodri) lives an isolated life with his crossword puzzles after his wife’s death. He thinks he’s found the one in Teresa (Lisa Palfrey),
his phone pal from the Lonely Hearts column. But when she asks to meet
in person, fear sets in. It’s been so long since he’s been with a woman.
What if she wants to consummate their budding romance?
Peetham ‘Pete’ Shah (Phaldut Sharma) has a seemingly perfect middle-class existence. A nice job, a wonderful wife in Alys (Alexandria Riley)
who has a new lust for life hosting lingerie and sex toy parties. But
they’ve lost their spark. Blaming his impotency, he sees a fix-all
problem in this tiny white pill (which didn't become blue until much
later).
And Eddie (Mark Lewis Jones), a bulldog of a bloke. A seemingly
strong man but beneath the surface is a vulnerability. Desperate to
please his wife, can this trial fix his problems? MEN UP
explores the fragilities of our characters in pursuit of their ultimate
reward... the return of a romantic connection in their lives. But as
the drug brings the hope of a return to that once-lost intimacy, the men
realise the hard work has only just begun. Aneurin Barnard also stars.