Wrexham: Mark Lewis Jones to feature in BBC's 'Men Up'

Mark Lewis Jones has starred in the likes of 'Stella', 'Keeping Faith', 'Outlander' and even huge titles like Star Wars and Game of Thrones during his successful career to date.

Born and raised in Rhos, the 58-year-old has also just recently been announced as part of the 'Dal Y Mellt' cast - which will be the first-ever Welsh language only drama yet to be shown on Netflix when it's released in April 2023. 

Mark Lewis Jones is also set to appear in the second series of 'The Cleaner' alongside comedian and actor Greg Davies.

Now, the BBC has confirmed that Jones will also feature as 'Eddie O'Connor' in the upcoming feature-length drama 'Men Up'.

Written by Matthew Barry (Industry, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Men Up is inspired by the remarkable true story of one of the world's first medical trials for the drug that became Viagra, held in Swansea’s Morriston Hospital in 1994.

Men Up’s stellar cast also includes the likes of Game of Thrones and Misfits star Iwan Rheon and Gavin and Stacey's Joanna Page (Stacey) and Steffan Rhodri (Dave Coaches).

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.

Meurig Jenkins, Colin White, Tommy Cadogan, Peetham 'Pete' Shah and Eddie O’Connor 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.

PIC: Phaldut Sharma, Iwan Rheon, Mark Lewis Jones and Steffan Rhodri play leading roles in 'Men Up'.

Mixing drama with humour, Men Up is a poignant and beautiful story in which a group of unassuming men rise to the challenge to reclaim their sex lives.

Writer Matthew 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.

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"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.”

BBC Cymru Wales Head of Commissioning Nick Andrews said: “It's almost too extraordinary to be true. And yet it is! Matt Barry's exquisite script has brought to life a precious true story, a social history, that will leave you punching the air with the sheer joy and triumph of it all. A truly Welsh story with global impact."