Richard Gadd Discusses New Show Half Man, Canneseries Opener Starring Jamie Bell and Exploring Brotherly Complexity

Richard Gadd, the creator and star of the Netflix hit “Baby Reindeer,” has discussed his new HBO/BBC series “Half Man,” which premiered on April 23, 2026, as an exploration of masculinity and the complex bond between two men who consider themselves brothers despite not being related by blood.

In “Half Man,” Gadd stars alongside Jamie Bell, portraying the adult versions of Ruben and Niall, respectively. The series follows their intertwined lives over three decades, beginning when their mothers begin a relationship and the boys form a deep, brother-like bond. Stuart Campbell and Mitchell Robertson portray the younger versions of Ruben and Niall.

Gadd described the show as examining “toxic masculinity” and the “destructive bond” between the two characters. He explained that Ruben, characterized as “insolent and hyper-confident,” resorts to “brutal violence” when faced with conflict, while Niall is depicted as “meek” and dreams of being a writer after losing his father at a young age.

The creator emphasized that he aimed to leave viewers with “complicated feelings” about certain scenes, particularly an early episode in which Ruben helps Niall have sex for the first time. Gadd noted that interpretations of the scene vary widely, with some viewers finding it dramatic, others humorous, and others missing its deeper significance.

Speaking about his approach to portraying male repression, Gadd stated that to understand its depths, “you need to show violence, or at least the extremities of it – so that we can understand the context and depths of where repression can lead.” He believes the series captures how “when things fall apart… it is sometimes the closest relationships which break the hardest.”

“Half Man” is a six-episode drama filmed in and around Glasgow, with production wrapping prior to its release. Episodes are released weekly on BBC iPlayer starting April 24, 2026, at 6 a.m., with BBC One and BBC Scotland broadcasts following later in the week. The series made its U.S. Debut on HBO and HBO Max on April 23, 2026.

Gadd, who is 36 years old, rose to prominence after “Baby Reindeer,” a show based on his personal experience of being stalked while struggling as a comedian, became a global sensation. He noted that the fame came “overnight,” saying, “by Sunday, I could barely walk anywhere without being recognized, without being stopped.”