Half Man’s Richard Gadd explains why Baby Reindeer’s success was “an innately destabilising experience”

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Before Baby Reindeer came out, Richard Gadd was a working comedian and had appeared in a few acting roles. The show quickly made him internationally famous.

The comedy-drama series, inspired by the creator’s own experiences, quickly became popular on Netflix after its release and received numerous awards.

I’m so excited to see that Gadd is back with a brand new series called Half Man! He not only created it, but he’s starring in it too. What’s really interesting this time is that it’s a completely made-up story – unlike his previous work, it’s not based on anything that actually happened to him.

To celebrate the upcoming show, Gadd joined us for an exclusive video interview as part of our series, The TopMob Writers’ Room, where we explore the minds of screenwriters.

Richard Gadd has said the huge popularity of ‘Baby Reindeer’ feels particularly vulnerable, considering the show is based on his own personal experiences and so many people are watching it.

It felt vulnerable sharing so much, he explained. He’d been performing for a loyal fanbase for years, and he hadn’t fully understood how different it would be to perform for a much broader audience.

I hadn’t really prepared for the scale of it, I guess. I’d become comfortable performing for smaller, familiar audiences at places like the Fringe, Soho Theatre, and the Bush Theatre. Suddenly having so many people watching felt really exposed.

It was strange becoming famous so quickly. One day, I was just another person on the street, unnoticed. The next, people were suddenly paying attention, and that shift was really unsettling.

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Half Man follows the story of Ruben, a tough and aggressive character with a strong sense of loyalty, and Niall, who is quiet and gentle. The film explores the contrasting paths of these two men.

I remember hearing how Niall and Liam grew up together, practically inseparable – they were like brothers. But over the years, things clearly changed between them. It all came to a head at Niall’s wedding, and honestly, it exploded into violence. It was shocking to see how things fell apart after all that time.

The show then jumps back in time, revealing the story of the past three decades. It examines the bonds of brotherhood, the impact of violence, and the delicate nature of connections between men.

The complete interview with Richard Gadd for The TopMob Writers’ Room will be released on Friday, April 24th, 2026.

Don’t miss ‘Half Man’! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

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 Fremantle, a major international TV production company. He has a BA degree in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-04-17 10:39