After taking Netflix by storm last year with his smash-hit limited series Baby Reindeer, Emmy-winning creator Richard Gadd is gearing up for his big follow-up with Half Man. Announced last year as a joint project between HBO and BBC, the series is set to premiere in 2026 on HBO Max in the U.S., Latin America, and Europe, and BBC iPlayer, BBC One, and BBC Scotland in the UK and Ireland, and will center on a very different, but still deliciously dark story between two estranged “brothers.” The first images were just released today, which give a peek at the pair, played by Gadd and Rocketman alum Jamie Bell, including one shot where they sit at a restaurant with a staredown that shows some lingering tension between them.
Half Man follows the relationship of Niall (Bell) and Ruben (Gadd), who suddenly reunite in an explosion of violence when Ruben shows up at his “brother’s” wedding. From there, the series explores the 40 years leading up to that point, from the 1980s to the present day, to show how the highs and lows of their once-tight bond that was forged as troubled teenagers and later broken as adults. Along the way, each experiences the full gamut of emotions, with good, bad, angry, funny, sad, and challenging moments alike that pave the way to the here and now. In the backdrop of their evolving relationship is an ever-changing city and world, and an exploration of what it means to be a man.
Gadd has transformed himself from his dark and deeply personal Baby Reindeer, now looking hardened, more muscular, and bitter towards the man he once called his brother. For the BAFTA-winning Bell, this will be just his third television role since 2017, as he’s mostly stuck to film with titles like All of Us Strangers, Without Remorse, and the aforementioned Elton John biopic, Rocketman. Although they’ll be the focus, they have a very deep supporting cast around them, including Stuart Campbell, Mitchell Robertson, Neve McIntosh, Marianne McIvor, Charlie De Melo, Bilal Hasna, Julie Cullen, Amy Manson, Philippine Velge, Stuart McQuarrie, Piers Ewart, Scot Greenan, Charlotte Blackwood, and Calum Manchip.
Who Else Is Involved in ‘Half Man’?
In addition to co-starring, Gadd also created, wrote, and executive-produced Half Man, with Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck serving as directors. Mam Tor Productions is also working to bring the series to life. When Gadd spoke to Collider‘s Aidan Kelley back in February, he described his new show as a “departure” for him because, unlike his Emmy-winning breakout hit or his other past work, it’s not based on his life experiences. Yet, he assured that it’s still dark, and it has all the hallmarks of his creative process. Coming from an original place instead of his past didn’t change the kind of themes he wanted to explore through his work.
“Gonna to do a musical. [Laughs] No, I’m actually working on the next thing. It’s a BBC HBO show called Half Man. I’m doing it right now and yeah, it’s a departure from the kind of autobiographical semi-autobiographical stuff that I’ve done before, but it’s still dark. It still explores sort of, I don’t know the contradictions of the human condition, but it feels nice not to be sort of turning inwards all the time while I’m doing it. So, this one I wouldn’t say is a full departure. It’s still probably totally what you’d expect from me, but it’s definitely different in subject matter and, of course, it’s not based on my life at all, so hopefully it’ll be a healthy thing to do.”
Half Man will debut on HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, BBC One, and BBC Scotland sometime in 2026. Check out the first images above.
via Collider