Baby Reindeer creator’s ‘explosive’ Glasgow-set BBC drama Half Man gets release window

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The BBC revealed that Richard Gadd’s new drama, Half Man, will be released in April. The series explores the complicated relationship between two brothers, Niall (played by Jamie Bell) and Ruben (played by Gadd).

Along with the series announcement, new photos have been released showing the cast of the six-part original show. The pictures feature actors Bell and Gadd as their characters, and also include Mitchell Robertson (known from Curfew) and Stuart Campbell (SAS Rogue Heroes, The Winter King), who portray younger versions of Niall and Ruben. The series, Half Man, will move between scenes set in the past and present.

The BBC describes Half Man as a show focused on the bonds of brotherhood and the complexities of male relationships. The story begins with a violent event that compels the two main characters to confront their shared history.

Niall and Ruben are like brothers, though not by blood. They’ve formed an incredibly close bond – Niall is strong and devoted, while Ruben is gentle and quiet. They grew up together, brought together by difficult circumstances and loss, and now rely on each other completely.

Thirty years later, at Niall’s wedding, Ruben appears changed – nervous and secretive, not at all like his usual self. This sets off a chain of violent events that reveal the story of their lives, flashing back from the 1980s to the present day.

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Spanning three decades, the documentary Half Man delves into the lives of men grappling with hardship, examining themes of brotherhood, violence, and the delicate nature of bonds between men. It shows how, when life falls apart, the most painful breaks often happen in our closest relationships.

Neve McIntosh (known for Chemistry of Death) plays Niall’s mother, Lori, and Marianne McIvor (from Screw and The Nest) plays Ruben’s mother, Maura, completing the main cast.

The cast includes Tim Downie (known for Outlander), Sandy Batchelor (SAS Rogue Heroes), Charlie De Melo (Rivals), Bilal Hasna (The Agency), Julie Cullen (Traces), Stuart McQuarrie (The Rig), Anjli Mohindra (The Lazarus Project), Tom Andrews (Feel Good), Philippine Velge (The Serpent Queen), Amy Manson (The Nevers), Piers Ewart (The Primrose Railway Children), Scot Greenan (T2 Trainspotting), as well as newcomers Kate Robson-Stuart, Calum Manchip, and Charlotte Blackwood.

Gadd created, wrote, and executive produced Half Man. Anna O’Malley and Sophie Gardiner also executive produced the series, along with Gaynor Holmes for the BBC and Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland.

The series has also been directed by Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck.

Filmed in and around Glasgow last year, the series will be available to viewers in the UK & Ireland on BBC iPlayer, BBC One, and BBC Scotland. It will also stream on HBO Max in the US, Latin America, and Europe.

Half Man will debut in the UK on BBC One and iPlayer.

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2026-03-12 20:19