young man standing outdoors

The BBC’s new drama, Half Man, comes from Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd and explores the fragile friendship between two men

he BBC has announced the release date for Half Man, its upcoming new drama from Baby Reindeer creator, Richard Gadd – and it’s set to be a must-watch this spring. The six-part series, arriving on 24 April, follows the decades-long, fractured friendship between two men.

The series is created, written and executive produced by Richard Gadd, who received widespread acclaim and international fame for his BAFTA and Emmy-winning Netflix series, Baby Reindeer. 

two men with heads against each other© BBC/Mam Tor Productions/HBO/Sebastian Nevols
Jamie Bell and Richard Gadd star in Half Man

Half Man marks Richard’s first drama series since his 2024 Netflix hit, and it’s set to be another emotional, raw and impactful series, this time focusing on toxic male friendship.

Meanwhile, Sophie Gardiner (Best Interests) and Anna O’Malley (Slow Horses) are the executive producers, so it’s safe to say viewers are in for a compelling watch.

Keep reading to find out more…

What is Half Man about?

The six-part series, which was filmed in and around Glasgow last year, follows close friends, Niall and Ruben, who share a brotherly bond. One is “fierce and loyal”, while the other is “meek and mild-mannered”.

The inseparable pair were brought into each other’s lives through death and circumstance, and all they have is each other. But when Ruben turns up to Niall’s wedding 30 years later, “everything seems different”.

two men sitting across table in cafe© BBC/Mam Tor Productions/Anne Binckebanck
The series follows the friendship between Niall and Ruben

The synopsis continues: “He is on edge. Shifty. Not acting like himself. And soon, an explosion of violence takes place which catapults us back through their lives, from the eighties to the present day.

“Capturing 30 years in the lives of these broken men, Half Man explores brotherhood, violence, and the intense fragility of male relationships. After all, when things fall apart… it is sometimes the closest relationships which break the hardest.”

Who stars in Half Man?

Richard Gadd and BAFTA winning actor Jamie Bell (All of Us Strangers, Rocketman) star as Ruben and Niall, respectively.

Young Niall (MITCHELL ROBERTSON), Young Ruben (STUART CAMPBELL) in Half Man© BBC/Mam Tor Productions/Anne Binckebanck
Mitchell Robertson and Stuart Campbell play young Niall and Ruben

The two leads are joined by a cast of familiar faces, including Mitchell Robertson (Curfew, Mayflies) and Stuart Campbell (SAS Rogue Heroes, The Winter King), as Niall and Ruben in their younger years, Neve McIntosh (Shetland, Chemistry of Death) as Niall’s mother Lori and Marianne McIvor (Screw, The Nest) as Ruben’s mother Maura.

Rounding out the cast is Charlie De Melo (Rivals), Bilal Hasna (The Agency), Julie Cullen (Traces), Amy Manson (The Nevers), Anjli Mohindra (The Lazarus Project), Tim Downie (Outlander), Tom Andrews (Feel Good), Philippine Velge (The Serpent Queen), Stuart McQuarrie (The Rig), Sandy Batchelor (SAS Rogue Heroes) Piers Ewart (The Primrose Railway Children), Scot Greenan (T2 Trainspotting), and newcomers Charlotte Blackwood, Calum Manchip and Kate Robson-Stuart.

How to watch Half Man

Half Man premieres on BBC One, BBC Scotland and iPlayer on April 24. Episodes will be released weekly.

uni student at graduation with mother© BBC/Mam Tor Productions/Anne Binckebanck
Neve McIntosh plays Lori

The series will make its US debut on HBO and HBO Max on April 23rd.