Half Man actor breaks down the violent, complex character he shares with Richard Gadd – and why he originally wanted a different role

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Richard Gadd, known for his series Baby Reindeer, returns with a new show called Half Man. He plays Ruben, a character who is both aggressive and devoted, while Jamie Bell stars as the gentle Niall.

While those actors play the main roles, Stuart Campbell and Mitchell Robertson also portray the characters as younger versions of themselves, and actually lead the story for much of the series.

Actors Campbell and Robertson discussed their characters with TopMob, and Campbell, known for his role in ‘Young Ruben,’ shared that he originally tried out for the part of Niall.

You know, when I first read the script, I was immediately drawn to the character of Ruben. It was unlike anything I’d ever tackled before. I was so eager to get the role, I practically pleaded with my agent to get me an audition. But the casting director, Kahleen Crawford, was firm – she said I wasn’t even going to be considered! It was a bit frustrating, honestly, but ultimately, everything worked out.

Campbell explained that Ruben initially feels envious of Niall. While they seem very different, both characters are struggling with inner pain and shame, and each one secretly wishes they had something the other possesses.

Ruben believes Niall hasn’t had much consistent support or loving care growing up. Because of this, even if Niall doesn’t say it, he likely feels a bit envious of those things.

Describing his take on the character Ruben, Campbell explained that he’s just been released from a youth detention facility. He’s a bit older now, having spent the last two years navigating a tough environment where he likely had to fight to protect himself.

Returning home is really odd – a new house, living with Niall and his mum, and everything that involves. It’s a complicated and unusual situation for a seventeen-year-old and a fifteen-year-old to suddenly find themselves in.

Actor Robertson, who plays young Niall, explained that he and co-star Bell collaborated to ensure their portrayals of the character felt seamless and believable.

We spent a good amount of time collaborating with the director, Alex Brodski. We had about a week or two of preparation before filming began, working on things like costumes, makeup, and camera angles. It was a really valuable process, and we did a lot of creative problem-solving with Alex.

I had a few chats with Jamie – mostly over Zoom at first, where we talked about the character. Then, throughout filming, we kept in touch by email, and I even sent him some notes to help with the accent.

I felt a lot of pressure because Jamie and I filmed our parts first, and Bell and Gadd filmed theirs afterward. I wasn’t sure how it would all come together, so I took the lead initially, and Jamie was able to use some of my footage. Ultimately, Jamie deserves all the credit because he took that footage and did the hard work of finishing the project.

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Half Man follows Ruben and Niall for three decades, starting when they meet as teenagers and form a brotherly bond. The story culminates on Niall’s wedding day, which is shattered by an outbreak of violence.

Half Man will arrive on BBC iPlayer at 6am on Tuesday 21 April 2026.

Don’t miss ‘Half Man’! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob ‘What to Watch’ app. Download the app now for daily TV suggestions, exclusive features, and more.

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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2026-04-21 09:08