From stalking to estrangement: All the details of Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd’s compelling new TV show
Hot on the tails of his runaway success, Baby Reindeer, the show's creator Richard Gadd has a brand new project in the works; Half Man. But this time, instead of focusing on stalking, as with Baby Reindeer, the new series will be exploring estrangement.
The new series looks set to be a gripping watch and, now that the cast lineup has been officially confirmed, filming can really get underway on the BBC drama. Until then, here are all the inside details we know so far...
Unlike Baby Reindeer, it's not based on real life
While Baby Reindeer was based on a period of Richard's own life, the new series is fiction - so we won't be expecting an appearance from Martha any time soon.
Half Man is about estranged brothers
The new show follows two men - described in the official release as "estranged 'brothers'" - throughout four decades of their lives from teenagers in the 1980s to adults, charting the highs, lows and tumult of their relationship over the years.
"When Ruben shows up unexpectedly at Niall’s wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives," reads the synopsis. "The series will capture the wild energy of a changing city - a changing world, even - and try to get to the bottom of the difficult question... What does it mean to be a man?"
Richard will star in the show
Although the series isn't about his own life, Richard will once again be starring in the show himself. He will play one of the brothers, Ruben, as well as being the writer and executive producer of the series.
The Half Man cast has been confirmed
Back in November, it was announced that Richard would be starring in the series opposite BAFTA award-winning actor Jamie Bell (All of Us Strangers, Rocket Man), who will play the other brother Niall.
As the series spans such a long period of time, the show has also cast actors to play the brothers in their younger years.
Speaking about the final casting line up, Richard said he and the team behind the series had, “scoured far and wide and met some of the most amazing talent this country has to offer I cannot wait for all our actors, young and old, to bring these characters to life.”
The key cast members are:
Richard Gadd - Ruben
Jamie Bell - Niall
Stuart Campbell - young Ruben
Mitchell Robertson - young Niall
Marianne McIvor - Ruben’s mother Maura
Neve McIntosh - Niall’s mother Lori
Also announced as part are the cast are:
Charlie De Melo (Rivals)
Bilal Hasna (The Agency)
Julie Cullen (Traces)
Amy Manson (The Nevers)
Philippine Velge (The Serpent Queen)
Stuart McQuarrie (The Rig)
Piers Ewart (The Primrose Railway Children)
Scot Greenan (T2 Trainspotting)
Charlotte Blackwood
Calum Manchip
Half Man will air on the BBC
The new series will be a BBC One and BBC Scotland drama, as well as airing in the United States on HBO. Unfortunately we still have some time to wait to see the final series, as it's still in the early stages of production. While there's no exact release date as of yet, we do know that is has been slated for release some time next year.
Half Man will air in 2026 on BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland.
You Might Also Like
