A handy guide to Half Man’s cast and characters: Where you’ve seen the stars of the BBC drama before

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The BBC’s new drama, Half Man, launches today. Richard Gadd, who also created the show and previously starred in Baby Reindeer, plays the lead role. He’s said playing Ruben was both a “big challenge” and initially quite frightening, according to BBC News.

I remember thinking that for people to believe me as this really tough, masculine character, I’d have to completely change how I looked. It meant a total transformation, and honestly, it involved growing a pretty terrible beard! I really wanted to embody the role fully, so I focused on the physical aspects too.

BAFTA-winning actor Jamie Bell plays Niall, one of the main characters in the drama. Gadd has mentioned he always envisioned Bell for the role.

Honestly, what really makes Half Man tick is the super intense relationship between these two characters. The creator, Gadd, put it perfectly: it’s a story about two guys struggling to love each other, and even themselves. It’s really about that internal and external conflict, and it’s pretty powerful.

According to Gadd, the two central characters, Ruben and Niall, have known each other since they were teenagers. He describes Ruben as quick-tempered and unpredictable, while Niall is much more cautious and aware of himself. Despite being very different, they’ve formed a strong, if sometimes troubled, connection that carries them through various periods in time. Each character possesses qualities the other lacks and deeply desires.

Richard Gadd as Ruben

In Half Man, Gadd plays Ruben as an adult, and it’s immediately clear that he’s a powerful and violent character.

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Richard Gadd recently gained widespread recognition for his hit Netflix series, Baby Reindeer, which sparked a lot of conversation in 2024. Before that, he appeared in the Sky comedy Code 404, alongside Stephen Graham and Daniel Mays, and had a role in season five of Outlander. He also wrote an episode for the popular show Sex Education.

Jamie Bell as Niall

The series introduces Niall, played by Jamie Bell, in the first episode – it’s his wedding day, and he’s described as Ruben’s close friend, like a brother from another mother.

Jamie Bell has worked in film and television for many years. He first gained widespread recognition in the 2000 film Billy Elliot, for which he won a BAFTA Award.

I’ve been really impressed with Taron Egerton lately! I loved him in Rocketman back in 2019, and then All of Us Strangers just blew me away – the cast with Paul Mescal, Andrew Scott, and Claire Foy was incredible.

Who plays the younger Ruben and Niall in Half Man?

The story of Half Man unfolds with scenes from the past, and the younger versions of Ruben and Niall – skillfully portrayed by Stuart Campbell and Mitchell Robertson – are central to the narrative.

Gadd decided to tell the story across different time periods because he felt understanding how masculinity developed required exploring the characters’ teenage years. Mitchell Robertson and Stuart Campbell portray young Niall and Ruben in the 1980s to show this formative period, as Gadd explained to the BBC.

I chose the 1980s as the setting because it’s often remembered as a difficult period, marked by certain biases and prejudices. It seemed like a strong starting point for the characters’ stories, allowing me to explore how they grow and learn from a less inclusive era.

Showing the characters as young really helps build their relationships from the start. Those early connections are incredibly important and shape who we become, so I wanted to highlight the significance of their bond and friendship.

Stuart Campbell is known for his roles in several TV dramas, including Captain Bill Fraser in SAS Rogue Heroes, as well as appearances in Shetland and Karen Pirie.

You might remember Mitchell Robertson from his roles in the murder-mystery series Moonflower Murders and the thriller Curfew, which also starred Sarah Parish.

Neve McIntosh, known for her roles in the detective dramas Shetland, Tin Star, and Traces, will play Niall’s mother, Lori.

Marianne McIvor plays Ruben’s mother, Maura. You might recognize McIvor from her roles in the Channel 4 series Screw and the BBC’s The Bombing of Pan Am 103.

Ruben and Niall encounter many memorable characters throughout the story, and the film boasts a strong supporting cast, including:

  • Charlie de Melo (Rivals, Doctor Who)
  • Bilal Hasna (Slow Horses, Extraordinary)
  • Anjli Mohindra (Bodyguard, Vigil)
  • Philippine Velge (The Serpent Queen, Jurassic World: Rebirth)
  • Amy Manson (Remus, The Diplomat)

Half Man has six episodes in total, which will be releasing weekly across BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

Digital Spy gave the show a perfect five-star review, calling it the “best show of 2026.” They praised Half Man for its ability to resonate with diverse audiences, stating that its strength comes from its broad appeal.

Half Man premieres on BBC iPlayer on 24 April, and will air on BBC One later.

The latest issue of Living Legends is available now! This special 100-page, full-color magazine celebrates the life and work of Sir David Attenborough. You can find it at newsstands or order it online.

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2026-04-24 11:21