Where was Half Man filmed?

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Richard Gadd, the creator of the hit show Baby Reindeer, has a new six-episode drama called Half Man. New episodes will be available each week on BBC iPlayer.

Ruben and Niall are two young men who unexpectedly become like brothers after their paths cross. Though not related by blood, they forge a strong brotherly bond through shared experiences.

The story follows the lives of two very different men over three decades, culminating in a violent event at Niall’s wedding, where Ruben is present.

The character of Ruben is portrayed by both Gadd and Stuart Campbell, and Niall is played by Jamie Bell and Mitchell Robertson. Fans are curious about the show’s setting and filming locations, and Gadd has discussed his choices for where the drama unfolds.

Read on for everything you need to know about the filming locations used for Half Man.

Where was Half Man filmed?

The series Half Man was filmed in and around Glasgow, the city where the story takes place. The nearby town of Cumbernauld was also used as a filming location – it’s actually where Mitchell Robertson, who plays Young Niall, is from.

Richard Gadd, the creator of the show, grew up in Wormit, Fife, and attended Glasgow University, where he lived for four years.

What has Richard Gadd said about filming in Glasgow

Gadd has spoken fondly of filming in Glasgow, a city where he spent four years at university. He describes Glasgow as a vibrant and culturally rich place with a strong identity. As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow has transformed itself over the years into a major cultural center in the UK.

The show beautifully mirrors the personal growth of its characters with the evolving city of Glasgow. As the characters grapple with their own changes, the city around them transforms as well, creating a strong connection between their internal struggles and the external world.

I was raised in a tiny town in Scotland, just outside of Dundee, across the water. It only had one small corner shop. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade my childhood there, but when I was younger, I felt a strong need to leave and experience something different.

The show captures that feeling, especially in the early episodes when we see Niall and Ruben’s lives in a small town. This really heightens the emotional intensity of their experiences as teenagers. It’s been fantastic working with such a talented cast and crew, and the setting has been perfect for the story.

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During a recent Q&A session, executive producer Sophie Gardiner explained that filming in Glasgow was ideal because the city has a huge variety of locations. She mentioned that the six-part series showcases this range, including a wedding scene and other diverse settings, and praised the excellent local crew.

Filming a show with many nighttime scenes in Glasgow during the summer presented some challenges. It doesn’t get dark until late – around 10 PM – and it’s light again very early, around 3:30 AM, which meant a lot of early mornings spent waiting in parking lots. Thankfully, they were good parking lots! Overall, Glasgow is a genuinely easy and welcoming city to work and spend time in, especially if you’re not a local.

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

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, an international TV production company. He holds a BA in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-04-24 08:43