Richard Gadd reveals new show Half Man pre-dates Baby Reindeer – and why it had to be on the BBC

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Richard Gadd, known for his hit show Baby Reindeer, returns with a new drama called Half Man, which will air on BBC.

As a huge movie and TV fan, I’m really excited about this series! It’s a collaboration with HBO, and it stars Richard Gadd alongside Jamie Bell. The story centers around Niall and Ruben – two guys who meet when they’re young and develop this incredibly close, brotherly bond. It sounds really compelling!

Thirty years after showing up at Niall’s wedding, Ruben’s arrival triggers a violent outburst, and we’re taken on a journey through their shared history, from the 1980s to today. The series delves into the complexities of brotherhood, the cycle of violence, and the delicate nature of friendships between men.

During a recent discussion about the show, Gadd shared that the concept for Half Man came to him quite a while ago, and he actually wrote the first episode even before he started working on Baby Reindeer.

He explained that the idea had been around for quite a while. After it initially stalled, the project was eventually greenlit as ‘Baby Reindeer,’ and he worked on that. He’d hoped the original concept would still be viable once he finished ‘Baby Reindeer’.

As a film fan, I’ve noticed a huge amount of talk lately – and it’s been really important – about men. We’re digging into everything: how men act, the issues of violence, how they deal with emotions, and all the pressures they face. It’s a really complex conversation, but a necessary one.

I didn’t intentionally start the conversation, but something made me wonder about the roots of societal repression. It just popped into my head – I was curious where these kinds of ideas come from.

I’ve been thinking a lot about why some men act the way they do as they get older, and it really seems like a lot of it goes back to things that happened to them when they were kids. It makes sense to me – those early years are when you’re still growing and developing, and any difficult or traumatic experiences can really shape who you become. Your brain is literally building itself during that time, so those things stick with you.

The initial thought really stuck with me and became difficult to dismiss. It wasn’t necessarily about politics or society; it was just a compelling idea that captured my imagination. I often have ideas, but if I can easily move past them within a day, I figure they weren’t worth pursuing.

I couldn’t get this particular idea out of my head, it really stuck with me. Throughout the entire process of making Baby Reindeer, I kept wondering if it would still be possible. I was hoping the BBC would be interested in the project, and I really wanted to work with them, so I kept my fingers crossed that the opportunity would remain open. Thankfully, it did.

Gadd was then asked why the series had to be on the BBC, to which he simply said: “I love the BBC.”

He described the channel as fantastic and praised its impressive work. He shared that it has inspired him greatly over the years, citing ‘The Office’ as a particular standout. He remembers being amazed by the show as a child and still considers it one of the greatest television programs ever created.

I truly admire the BBC. Especially now, when it’s so important to have news and information that isn’t biased, I feel it’s a real honor and a privilege to work with them.

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Ruben, played by Gadd and, as a younger man, by Stuart Campbell, is a strong, aggressive, and devoted character. In contrast, Niall, played by Bell and Mitchell Robertson, is gentle and quiet.

The series also features Neve McIntosh, known for her role in Doctor Who, alongside Marianne McIvor (The Bombing of Pan Am 103), Charlie De Melo (Rivals), Bilal Hasna (The Agency), Julie Cullen (Traces), Amy Manson (The Nevers), and Anjli Mohindra (The Lazarus Project).

Half Man will arrive on BBC iPlayer at 6am on Friday 24 April 2026.

Don’t miss Half Man! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob app – download now to get 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, an international TV production company. He has a bachelor’s degree in English and Theatre Studies and a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-04-12 21:05