Half Man: First Look At Richard Gadd’s New BBC Project

Baby Reindeer was all we could talk about when it debuted on Netflix last April. Its creator, Richard Gadd, landed in the spotlight thanks to his creating and writing the series, and also for that pesky ‘based on a true story’ subtitle – which turned out to be pretty costly for the streamer. In 2026, though, it’s over to the BBC where Gadd’s latest project, Half Man, will air. With our first look recently revealed by the BBC, here’s what you need to know.

Niall (JAMIE BELL) & Ruben (RICHARD GADD) in Half Man. (© BBC/Mam Tor Productions/Anne Binckebanck)

Richard Gadd’s Half Man: Plot, Cast, Release Date & More

After the explosive success of Baby Reindeer, Richard Gadd is back with his next original drama – this time on the BBC. Made up of six episodes, Half Man is a co-production with HBO, similar to Industry, meaning it’ll definitely air across the Atlantic, too.

Created, written and executive produced by Gadd, the series centres on ‘brothers’ Niall and Ruben who forged a bond as teenagers but are now estranged and haven’t spoken in years. So when Ruben shows up unexpectedly at Niall’s wedding, it’s pretty unsettling. In fact, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives.

Directed by Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck, we flash back 40 years, tracing the boys’ childhood in the ‘80s and working our way back to the present day, from their meeting as teenagers to their falling out as adults – with all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry and challenging moments along the way.

Set and filmed in Glasgow, Half Man will capture the wild energy of a changing city – and changing world. At its heart, though, it will tackle a difficult question: what does it mean to be a man?

‘Half Man is a brilliant example of BBC Scotland’s ambition to bring high quality drama, rooted in Scotland, to audiences in Scotland, the UK and the world,’ says Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning at BBC Scotland. ‘We look forward to seeing Richard and Jamie bring these complex and powerful characters to life.’

‘In Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell we have the perfect Ruben and Niall,’ adds Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. ‘Two characters like no other, whose epic journey through the decades we can’t wait to have on the BBC.’

Niall (JAMIE BELL) in Half Man. (© BBC/Mam Tor Productions/Anne Binckebanck)

The Cast

Richard Gadd will lead the series as Ruben, while Jamie Bell (who you might recognise from All of Us Strangers) will join him as Niall. And because we move through time, we also have younger versions of the characters: Stuart Campbell will play Ruben, while Mitchell Robinson will play Niall.

The full cast we know so far is as follows:

• Richard Gadd as Ruben
• Jamie Bell as Niall
• Stuart Campbell as young Ruben
• Mitchell Robinson as young Niall
• Neve McIntosh as Lori, Niall’s mother
• Marianne McIvor as Maura, Ruben’s mother
• Charlie De Melo
• Bilal Hasna
• Julie Cullen
• Amy Manson
• Philippine Velge
• Stuart McQuarrie
• Piers Ewart
• Scot Greenan
• Charlotte Blackwood
• Calum Manchip

Intriguingly, when Half Man was first optioned under the working title Lions, Gadd insisted he would not star. This was a few months before Baby Reindeer launched on Netflix and spiralled into one of the most-talked-about dramas of the year – perhaps even the decade so far.

Speaking after Baby Reindeer, Gadd confirmed: ‘No, I’m not going to act in that for a couple of reasons. For Baby Reindeer, it added a layer of intrigue because it happened to me and I think it made the piece more interesting. But I want Lions to exist as a piece of art, as a piece of work without my sudden recognition getting in the way, which is why we’ll cast people who aren’t me in the principal roles.’

Six months later, there was a U-turn. Is that sudden recognition exactly what the BBC and HBO want after all?

‘I am delighted to confirm I will be playing Ruben in the newly crowned Half Man for the BBC and HBO alongside the incomparable Jamie Bell,’ Gadd said at the end of 2024. ‘When I wrote the show, I did it with him in mind, never thinking for a second we would manage to land him. So I could not be happier for everything that has come to pass in getting him on board. He is one of the greatest actors of his generation and I am so looking forward to seeing what he does with the role. Thanks to all the staff at the BBC, HBO, and Mam Tor Productions for making it all happen. I cannot wait to work with you all in the months ahead.’

‘I’m so excited to join this incredible creative team,’ Bell added. ‘Richard has once again crafted something poignant and singular. I’m honored to have been asked to bring this to life with him.’

Ruben (RICHARD GADD) in Half Man. (© BBC/Mam Tor Productions/Anne Binckebanck)

Is It Based On A True Story?

No more true stories for Gadd – for now, at least. ‘All of the stuff I’ve done has an emotional truth to it, but [Half Man] is not based on my life at all,’ Gadd told The Hollywood Reporter. ‘It’s a fictional world and a new challenge that I’m really looking forward to.’

Release Date

We are told filming recently wrapped on Half Man in Glasgow, and the series will air in 2026 on BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland in the UK, and on HBO in the US.