Loved Up

Loved Up is a BBC drama, first shown on TV on 23 September 1995 on the BBC 2 Originally this was a school information film for teenagers to show the risks of taking ecstasy, first shown to schoolchildren in the UK in 1992 and part of the Love Bites series. The film was directed by Peter Cattaneo, and starred Lena Headey, Ian Hart and Charlie Creed Miles, plus appearances by Jason Isaacs and Danny Dyer. The drama is notable for being the first collaboration between BBC Drama Screen Two ( BBC Two ) and Scene (BBC Education) with series associate producer Andy Rowley. Loved Up won a BAFTA award as Best Children's Drama in 1996.

The story revolves around Tom, age 21, played by Ian Hart, who meets Sarah, aged 18, played by Lena Headey, in the cafe in which she works as a waitress. The plot follows her introduction to clubbing and the taking of ecstasy, the story includes her relationship with Tom, and her escape from family problems,

The film culminates with Sarah's mother's drinking problem leading to an attempted suicide, and Sarah asking Tom for help by leaving him a vague answerphone message he does not actually receive in time to be able to do anything. Sarah ends her relationship with Tom, and the film finishes with Tom dropping another pill, and dancing his troubles away.

A 2 x 30 minute abridged version of the story (the original screening was 70 minutes) was screened as part of the BBC Schools Scene series in October 1995, and subsequently repeated a number of times.

A soundtrack to accompany the film was also produced and featured artists such as The Prodigy, Orbital and Leftfield.

The soundtrack was re released as Totally Loved Up with an additional CD, and on vinyl, containing more music from the film. Discogs (www. discogs. com) has the track listing as follows:

The film was released on VHS in 1999, but is now deleted. As of August 2023, it has not been released on DVD.