Half Man’s Richard Gadd explains how that shocking Ruben reveal was hinted at across the whole show

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*Warning – contains full spoilers for Half Man episode 6.*

This article contains discussions of sexual assault that some readers may find distressing.

Towards the end of Richard Gadd‘s series, Half Man, Niall and Ruben had a powerful scene where they finally shared long-held, deeply personal struggles.

Niall finally told Ruben he was gay, but Ruben wasn’t surprised or upset. In fact, he said he was proud and had always guessed, even jokingly suggesting Niall was the one who used to be prejudiced against gay people.

Ruben shared a painful experience from his childhood: he was abused, both physically and sexually, by his father. This trauma, he believes, explains his history of violent behavior.

This was a shocking and disturbing event, though some people may have anticipated it. Looking back, there were actually several clues that foreshadowed what happened.

Gadd described Ruben as someone who rarely shows fear, telling TopMob that while his power begins to slip in episode 5, it’s hard to say if what we see is actually fear – it’s just a different kind of reaction.

I only got the sense he was afraid of someone when his father appeared outside the window in the first episode. It wasn’t a simple fear, though—it felt much more profound and unsettling.

A scene in episode 3 offered another glimpse into the abuse Ruben experienced. He angrily told Niall that being groped feels like “an attack on your soul.” This moment was particularly enjoyable for actors Stuart Campbell and Mitchell Robertson, who portrayed younger versions of Ruben and Niall, to film.

Gadd explained that he subtly tried to include the story in the show. He pointed to a couple of moments – a scene in a field, and when the character reveals his father had a heart attack, explaining his tears. Niall, another character, responds with sympathy, but the character quickly clarifies he was actually crying because he saw someone walking up the path.

The scene Gadd refers to comes just moments after the earlier scene in the field he referenced.

I was subtly suggesting it throughout the show,” Gadd explained. “For example, in episode 5, when Mona is at the bar, she mentions that his desire for a child stems from a difficult relationship with his own father. There were clues like that all along.

Some people believe there’s a troubled past influencing his behavior, while others feel it’s a sudden change. I find it interesting how some recognize a deeper issue, and others don’t.

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Half Man is available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer.

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Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at the international production company Fremantle. He has a bachelor’s degree in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-05-30 08:34