The BBC has revealed first look pictures for Half Man, the original six-episode drama from the multi award-winning Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer, Against The Law). Filming recently wrapped and took place in and around Glasgow.
Gadd and BAFTA award-winning actor Jamie Bell (All of Us Strangers, Rocket Man) star as ‘brothers’ Ruben and Niall respectively. Today’s first look reveals the surprise reunion between Ruben and Niall after years of estrangement, leading to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives over the course of the series. Spanning almost 40 years from the 1980s to the present day, Mitchell Robertson (Curfew, Mayflies) and Stuart Campbell (SAS Rogue Heroes, The Winter King) play Niall (Robertson) and Ruben (Campbell) in their younger years.
Half Man explores the highs and lows of Ruben and Niall’s relationship, from meeting them as troubled teenagers to witnessing their falling out as adults – with all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging moments along the way. The series will capture the wild energy of a changing city – a changing world, even – and plumb the depths of what it means to be a man.
Previously announced as starring in the series are Neve McIntosh (Tin Star, Chemistry of Death) as Niall’s mother Lori, and Marianne McIvor (Screw, The Nest) as Ruben’s mother Maura. Rounding out the cast for Half Man are Charlie De Melo (Rivals), Bilal Hasna (The Agency), Julie Cullen (Traces), Amy Manson (The Nevers), Philippine Velge (The Serpent Queen), Stuart McQuarrie (The Rig), Piers Ewart (The Primrose Railway Children), Scot Greenan (T2 Trainspotting), and newcomers Charlotte Blackwood and Calum Manchip.
Half Man (6×45) is created, written and executive produced by Richard Gadd, and directed by Alexandra Brodski (Somewhere Boy, Rivals) and Eshref Reybrouck (Ferry: The Series, Cheyenne & Lola).
The series is made by Mam Tor Productions (a Banijay UK company) for the BBC, BBC Scotland and HBO. Banijay Rights handles international distribution outside of BBC and HBO rights. Half Man is supported by Screen Scotland.
Half Man will air in 2026 on BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland in the UK & Ireland, and on HBO Max in the US, Latin America and Europe.
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