Men Up
| Men Up | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Genre | Factual drama |
| Screenplay by | Matthew Barry |
| Directed by | Ashley Way |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | Wales |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Karen Lewis |
| Cinematography | Adam Etherington |
| Editor | John Richards |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One |
| Release | 29 December 2023 |
Men Up is a Welsh television film broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, about the first ever clinical trials for the drug viagra, which took place in Swansea in 1994. Russell T Davies is amongst the executive producers. The cast includes Aneurin Barnard, Alexandra Roach, Phaldut Sharma, Iwan Rheon, Steffan Rhodri and Joanna Page. It aired on 29 December 2023.
Synopsis
[edit]In Morriston Hospital in Swansea in 1994, a group of middle-aged Welsh men stepped into the unknown by taking part in the world's first medical trials for the drug that became Viagra.
Cast
[edit]- Iwan Rheon as Meurig Jenkins
- Aneurin Barnard as Dr. Dylan Pearce
- Alexandra Roach as Ffion Jenkins
- Phaldut Sharma as Peetham ‘Pete’ Shah
- Paul Rhys as Tommy Cadogan
- Steffan Rhodri as Colin White
- Mark Lewis Jones as Eddie O’Connor
- Joanna Page as Moira Davies
- Lisa Palfrey as Teresa Rigby
- Alexandria Riley as Alys Shah
- Dyfan Dwyfor as Leigh Bennett
- Katy Wix as Joanna Wootle
Production
[edit]The programme was written by Matthew Barry. Executive producers were Nicola Shindler and Davina Earl for Quay Street Productions, Rachel Evans for Boom, Matthew Barry, Russell T Davies and Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC.[1] Men Up was directed by Ashley Way and produced by Karen Lewis.[2]
Casting
[edit]In 2023 the cast was revealed to include Phaldut Sharma, Iwan Rheon, Mark Lewis Jones, Steffan Rhodri, Alexandra Roach and Joanna Page.[3] Dyfan Dwyfor and Aneurin Barnard also appeared.[4]
Filming
[edit]Filming took place in Swansea in early 2023.[5] Filming had wrapped before the end of May 2023.[6]
Broadcast and reception
[edit]The programme was shown in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer during the 2023 festive period.[7]
Writing for The Guardian, Lucy Mangan described the programme as "a masterpiece" and awarded it five stars out of five.[8]
Accolades
[edit]The programme was nominated for Best Single Drama at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards in March 2024.[9]
The film won the award for Best Feature Length Film at the Banff World Media Festival Rockie Awards in June 2024.[10]
Matthew Barry was awarded Best Writer at the BAFTA Cymru Awards in October 2024.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Dalling, Robert (1 March 2023). "BBC's new Men Up drama about Viagra filmed and set in Swansea will star Iwan Rheon and Alexandra Roach". Walesonline. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (1 March 2023). "Viagra Trial Drama 'Men Up' Coming to BBC From Russell T. Davies, 'Industry' Writer, 'It's a Sin' Producer". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ Evans, Aaron (1 March 2023). "Wrexham: Mark Lewis Jones to feature in BBC's 'Men Up'". The Leader. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ Lewis, Thomas (3 March 2023). "North Wales actors star in new Russell T Davies Viagra drama Men Up on BBC One". Daily Post. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ Dalling, Robert (20 February 2023). "Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon films in Swansea street transported back to 1994 for new drama Men Up". Wales Online. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ Nisbet, Megan (20 May 2023). "The Welsh-filmed dramas and TV series coming in 2023 and beyond". Walesonline. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ "BBC Christmas 2023 TV and iPlayer line-up brings the festive spirit to the UK". bbc.co.uk. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
- ^ Mangan, Lucy (29 December 2023). "Men Up review – a TV masterpiece about the very first men to take Viagra". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ "RTS PROGRAMME AWARDS 2024". RTS.org.uk. 7 March 2024.
- ^ "Rockie Awards 2024 Winner". Banff World Media Festival. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ "Steeltown Murders scoops two Bafta Cymru awards". BBC News. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.