After Baby Reindeer became one of the most discussed television events in recent memory, all eyes have been on Richard Gadd‘s next move. Now we know. Half Man — a six-episode limited series co-produced by HBO and the BBC — premieres on HBO Max on April 23, 2026, with a UK and Ireland premiere following on BBC One on April 24.

What Is Half Man About?

Unlike Baby Reindeer — which drew directly from Gadd’s own life — Half Man is an entirely original fictional story. When Ruben (Gadd), an estranged adopted brother, shows up uninvited at Niall‘s (Bell) wedding, a single act of violence fractures everything — and sends us hurtling back through nearly 40 years of the two men’s shared and broken history. Spanning from the 1980s to the present day in Scotland, the series is a deeply ambitious exploration of brotherhood, masculinity, rage, and the damage that never fully heals. Gadd himself has described the show as exploring “what it means to be a man” — and from the trailer alone, it is clear this will be every bit as emotionally devastating as his previous work.

The Cast

Richard Gadd plays Ruben, the volatile, complicated figure whose reappearance sets everything in motion. Opposite him, Jamie Bell — the Oscar-nominated actor known for Billy Elliot, Rocketman, and Spiral — plays Niall, the brother who thought he had moved on. Their younger versions are portrayed by Stuart Campbell (Ruben) and Mitchell Robertson (Niall).

The supporting ensemble includes:
Neve McIntosh as Lori, Niall’s mother
Marianne McIvor as Maura, Ruben’s mother
Charlie De Melo, Bilal Hasna, Anjli Mohindra, Amy Manson, and Julie Cullen among others

The Creative Team

Richard Gadd wrote and executive produced the entire series, continuing his streak as one of the most distinctive voices in prestige television. The series was directed by Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck, and was filmed on location in Scotland throughout 2025.

Why This Is the Series to Watch

Baby Reindeer won 11 Emmy Awards and sparked a global conversation about obsession, trauma, and truth. With Half Man, Gadd has deliberately chosen to step into fiction — freeing himself from autobiography to tell a story that is, if anything, even more universal. The question of what men do with pain, with rage, with the memory of childhood — and what it costs them — is one few shows have tackled with this level of craft and courage. The trailer alone suggests Half Man will be one of the defining television events of 2026.

Episode Schedule and How to Watch

Half Man consists of six episodes releasing weekly. It premieres on HBO Max on April 23, 2026, and on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on April 24. An HBO or Max subscription is required to stream in the US.