Character Relationship Map: Real Men

Characters

• DI Matthew Fenton (played by Ben Daniels) — protagonist

  A detective inspector and the series' central character. He reopens the cold case of a missing child, which draws him to a local orphanage, where he suspects the caretaker of sexual improprieties with...

• DS Barry Grimes (played by Charles Dale) — supporting
• Alistair Jackson (played by Ewan Stewart) — supporting
• DS Paula Savage (played by Christine Tremarco) — supporting
• Liz Fenton (played by Caroline Catz) — supporting
• Russell Wade (played by Harry Eden) — supporting
• DCI Norton (played by Matthew Marsh) — supporting
• Julie Ferguson (played by Jill Baker) — supporting
• Alex Collins (played by Stephen Lord) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Alistair Jackson → Russell Wade (Power Caretaker) — Orphanage caretaker holding authority over the minor Russell Wade.
• DI Matthew Fenton → DCI Norton (Power Superior) — Senior officer overseeing Fenton's investigation and resource allocation.
• DI Matthew Fenton → Liz Fenton (Family Spouse) — Wife providing personal support while Fenton navigates the heavy investigation.
• DI Matthew Fenton → DS Barry Grimes (Professional Teammate) — Professional partners collaborating on the reopened missing child investigation.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• DI Matthew Fenton → Julie Ferguson (Narrative Subject) — Minor whose circumstances highlight the urgency of Fenton's investigation.
• DI Matthew Fenton → Alex Collins (Narrative Subject) — Minor whose well-being drives Fenton's deepening involvement with the facility.
• DI Matthew Fenton → Russell Wade (Narrative Subject) — Minor under the orphanage's care, central to Fenton's protective investigation.
• DI Matthew Fenton → DS Paula Savage (Alliance Supporter) — Colleague providing investigative support and backup during the inquiry.
• DI Matthew Fenton → Alistair Jackson (Conflict Suspect) — Investigator and primary suspect in the orphanage impropriety case.

Story Analysis

A detective's reopened missing-child case leads toward disturbing suspicions at a local orphanage.

Plot Progression

1. The Cold Case Returns — A detective inspector reopens the cold case of a missing child. The renewed investigation redirects attention toward a local orphanage.
2. Secrets at the Orphanage — The orphanage becomes the investigation's central setting. Suspicion falls on its caretaker because of alleged improprieties with minors.
3. A Disturbing Investigation — The missing-child case and the allegations surrounding the orphanage create a hard-hitting dramatic conflict. The subject matter reaches an increasingly serious point.
4. Drama Under Debate — The series' subject matter prompted public discussion about whether it was suitable for drama. Its broadcast history later remained limited.