A new BBC drama, Men Up, based on the true story of one of the world’s first medical trials for the drug that became Viagra, is currently filming in Wales. 
 

Quay Street Productions and Boom are making the BBC One, 90-minute single drama in a co-commission with BBC Wales, with around another two weeks’ filming remaining. 
 

Ashley Way directs from a script by Matthew Barry; Karen Lewis produces. The executive producers are Nicola Shindler and Davina Earl for Quay Street Productions, Rachel Evans for Boom, writer Barry, Russell T Davies and Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC.
 

Iwan Rheon, Aneurin Barnard, Alexandra Roach, Phaldut Sharma, Paul Rhys, Steffan Rhodri, Mark Lewis Jones, Joanna Page, Alexandria Riley, Nathan Sussex, Lisa Palfrey, Dyfan Dwyfor and Katy Wix are among the cast. 
 

 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.
 

Writer 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.”
 

Gerwyn Evans, deputy director, Creative Wales, said: “This production is bringing high quality jobs, skills development and fair work to the local area including trainee placements as part of the Economy Futures Fund. I’m delighted to see this remarkable story from Swansea get the recognition it deserves. Supported by a cast of stellar Welsh actors, I look forward to seeing this little-known story brought to life when it arrives on our screens!”
 

Men Up has received Welsh Government support via Creative Wales and is produced in association with Cineflix Rights as exclusive worldwide distribution partner.
 

Quay Street Productions and Boom are both part of ITV Studios.