Richard Gadd’s New Drama ‘Half Man’ Set for April Premiere on BBC and HBO

Richard Gadd, the creator and star of the hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer, has officially confirmed the premiere date for his next project, the drama Half Man. This six-part series, a co-production with HBO, is set to debut on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on April 24, 2026. Audiences in the United States will be able to access the show on HBO one day earlier, on April 23, 2026.

Gadd, who has always expressed a desire to work with the BBC after being inspired by its production of The Office, noted that the concept for Half Man was born long before his breakout success on Netflix. Joining Gadd in the cast is BAFTA winner Jamie Bell, renowned for his roles in Billy Elliot and All of Us Strangers. The narrative follows Ruben (Gadd) and Niall (Bell), whose intense bond—forged through shared trauma—spans from the 1980s to the present day. Written by Gadd before he began work on Baby Reindeer, the script explores themes of brotherhood, violence, and the vulnerability of male relationships.

Production for the series, which was developed under the working title Lions, took place in Glasgow, Scotland, throughout 2025 and was completed by July of that year. Although BBC One first announced the show in February 2024, HBO joined the project as a partner in June 2024. Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck directed the series, which was produced by London-based Mam Tor Productions in association with BBC Scotland.

The ensemble cast also includes Mitchell Robertson and Stuart Campbell as the younger versions of Niall and Ruben, alongside Neve McIntosh as Niall’s mother, Lori, and Marianne McIvor as Ruben’s mother, Maura. The story reaches its climax with a violent confrontation at Niall’s wedding, decades after the two first established their close connection. The release of Half Man on major British and American networks solidifies Richard Gadd’s status as one of modern television’s most significant playwrights, as he continues to explore the complexities of human relationships.