Yahoo News Men Up’s Iwan Rheon on drama’s “true story” and “fictional” elements
Men Up minor spoilers follow.
Former Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon has explained why he was drawn to the "incredible" true story behind Men Up.
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies has produced this bittersweet film inspired by the real-life clinical trials of Viagra in Swansea through the stories of five fictional men taking part.
Rheon plays one of the men signed up for the trial, and has spoken to Digital Spy about why it was important for this story to be told.
"From the first time I read the script, I just thought this is such a great story – an unknown story, but a true story, which is incredible. But fictional characters within a true story," he told us.
"I think the film sort of tackles the ideas of masculinity and the lack of being able to talk, and the damage that has on relationships, so sensitively and so truthfully. And each character and each storyline within it – it’s five main storylines; there’s five men on this trial. It’s so beautifully shaped and written out.
"I think everybody will be able to find somebody that they really relate to. I just loved the script straight away, and wanted to play the part."
Through these five men, Men Up connects a range of life experiences through the lens of sexual health with refreshing frankness.
"Well, I think what you get a lot of in the film is that the beginning of their journey to helping themselves is actually by bringing this problem out into the open," Iwan said.
"It’s not necessarily the pill – or the drug – that will help. I think by actually discussing it, and by having the bravery to come out and say you had this happen, is often the beginning of the healing process, rather than it being like, 'Oh, there you are. Take a pill. That will help you'.
"I think that’s really what the film is saying: we need to communicate better."
Iwan also touched on the ways the cast — which also includes Doctor Who's Aneurin Barnard, EastEnders' Phaldut Sharma, A Discovery of Witches star Paul Rhys, Gavin & Stacey actor Steffan Rhodri and Gangs of London's Mark Lewis Jones— bonded over the subject matter.
"I think it’s very different with actors. Actors talk about all sorts of things [laughs]. When you’re sitting around in a waiting room, waiting to do a scene, anything could come up," he recalled.
"I think as a cast, we all really bonded quite quickly anyway. We all were excited about the project. There was a read-through in Cardiff. I’ve never been in a read-through like it. I felt like the script really came to life, and using the events – it felt very… I was blown away by it, really.
"I think, from there, everybody kind of felt, 'This is really going to be quite cool.' We were all getting to know each other. Rhodri and Mark had worked together many times, and the rest of us fitted in. It all felt quite easy, and we all got along really well."
Men Up is now available to stream on the BBC iPlayer.
You Might Also Like
