Following his breakout success with Baby Reindeer, Richard Gadd is set to return with a bold new transformation in HBO’s drama Half Man. The streamer has unveiled the first look, revealing Gadd in a bulked-up physique and adorned with tattoos, as he embodies his new role.
Written and created by Gadd, the six-episode series, formerly known as Lions, stars Gadd and Jamie Bell as brothers Ruben and Niall, in a co-production between HBO and the BBC. Half Man is expected to be released in 2026.
Half Man Follows Two Brothers’ Turbulent Journey Through Four Decades
Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell’s upcoming drama spans four decades and delves into the fractured, often volatile relationship between two estranged brothers, Ruben and Niall.
The official synopsis of the series reads, “When Niall’s estranged ‘brother’ Ruben shows up at his wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives.”
Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world, the series traces Ruben and Niall’s journey from the 1980s to the present day. From their first meeting as teenagers through the good, bad, and terrible, it follows the moments that define their bond.
Characters ActorsRuben Richard GaddNiallJamie BellNiall’s Mother Neve McIntoshRuben’s MotherMarianne McIvor
“It’s about the lifespan of two very dysfunctional brothers and the show takes you through their lives and how they interact,” the Emmy-winning actor told The Hollywood Reporter in a 2024 interview.
At its core, Half Man is both intimate and expansive, balancing raw pain with humor and warmth, while portraying the full complexity of brotherhood, chosen and otherwise.
Is Richard Gadd’s Half Man Based on a True Story?
Given Gadd’s Baby Reindeer was rooted in his personal experiences, many wondered if his new British drama Half Man might also be based on a true story. However, the actor has clarified that this series is entirely fictional.
A still from Baby Reindeer | Credit: Netflix
“All of the stuff I’ve done as an emotional truth to it, but this is not based on my life at all,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s a fictional world and a new challenge that I’m really looking forward to.”
Initially, Gadd suggested he had no interest in starring in the project, emphasizing that he wanted the show to “exist as a piece of art.” But in November 2024, it was confirmed that he would be starring in the series alongside Jamie Bell, with the project officially retitled Half Man.
Stay tuned for Gadd and Jamie Bell-led powerful new saga of family and identity, expected to be released in 2026.
Baby Reindeer is available to watch on Netflix.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
