The BBC has confirmed that Half Man, a new six-part drama from Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd, will arrive on screens this spring. The series, which premieres on 24 April, follows the fractured, decades-long friendship between two men and promises to be an emotional and raw exploration of toxic male friendship.
Created, written and executive produced by Gadd, Half Man marks his first drama series since the BAFTA and Emmy-winning Netflix hit Baby Reindeer. The story centres on Niall and Ruben, close friends bound by a brotherly connection forged through death and circumstance. When Ruben unexpectedly appears at Niall's wedding 30 years later, an explosion of violence sends the narrative back through their lives from the 1980s to the present day.
The synopsis describes the pair as 'broken men', with the series examining brotherhood, violence and the intense fragility of male relationships. It notes that when things fall apart, sometimes the closest relationships break the hardest. Gadd stars as Ruben, with BAFTA-winning actor Jamie Bell taking on the role of Niall.
Filmed in and around Glasgow last year, the drama features a cast including Neve McIntosh (Shetland) as Niall's mother Lori, and Marianne McIvor as Ruben's mother Maura. Younger versions of the lead characters are played by Mitchell Robertson and Stuart Campbell. Additional cast members include Charlie De Melo, Bilal Hasna, Amy Manson and Anjli Mohindra.
Half Man is executive produced by Sophie Gardiner and Anna O'Malley, known for their work on Best Interests and Slow Horses respectively. The series will air on BBC One, BBC Scotland and iPlayer from 24 April, with episodes released weekly. It will make its US debut on HBO and Max on 23 April.
