Half Man: Richard Gadd's new drama series on HBO and BBC

Published by Julie de Sortiraparis · Updated on August 28, 2025 at 10:45 p.m. · Published on August 28, 2025 at 08:32 p.m.
Half Man, a new drama series created by Richard Gadd and starring Jamie Bell and Mitchell Robertson, will air in 2026 on HBO Max and BBC iPlayer.

HBO and the BBC have unveiled the first images from Half Man, a six-part drama series created and produced by Richard Gadd, Emmy® winner for My Little Reindeer. Scheduled for release in 2026, this British drama stars Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell, and traces the conflicted evolution of the relationship between two brothers over nearly 40 years, from the early 1980s to the present day. The series will be broadcast on HBO Max in the USA, Latin America and Europe, and on BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland in the UK and Ireland.

Where and when can you see Half Man?

Half Man will be broadcast from 2026 on HBO Max (USA, Latin America, Europe) and on BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland in the UK and Ireland.

Synopsis: When Ruben shows up at his brother Niall's wedding, the event triggers an explosion of violence and delves into the complex history of their relationship. From their adolescence in the 1980s to their estrangement in adulthood, the series explores the ups and downs of a sibling bond marked by anger, humor, pain and love. Through their story, Half Man questions what it means to be a man in a changing society.

An intergenerational drama

Spanning almost four decades, Half Man depicts the evolution of a brotherly relationship between two men wounded by life and their environment. The story crosses eras, social contexts and the upheavals of a city in the throes of transformation, with an intimate yet universal look at the construction of male identity and the contradictions it entails.

The cast of Half Man

The series features an international cast led by Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell. The roles of Niall and Ruben in their youth are played by Mitchell Robertson and Stuart Campbell. Other performers include Neve McIntosh, Marianne McIvor, Charlie De Melo, Bilal Hasna, Amy Manson, Philippine Velge, Stuart McQuarrie and Julie Cullen. This multi-generational cast illustrates the project's narrative richness and realism.

Who's behind the camera?

Half Man is created, written and produced by Richard Gadd. Direction is entrusted to Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck, two filmmakers known for their naturalistic approach and their work in social drama. This creative trio aims to deliver a dramatic fresco that blends psychological intimacy with societal observation.

Who is Half Man for?

The series is aimed at fans of family dramas and stories centered on complex human relationships. Viewers who have enjoyed My Little Reindeer, Shameless and This Is England will appreciate its ability to combine social realism, emotional intensity and reflection on contemporary masculinity. Viewers in search of an intimate, generational fresco will find Half Man a striking dramatic experience.

Half Man in a nutshell

Half Man is a British drama series created by Richard Gadd, broadcast in 2026 on HBO Max and the BBC. It follows the tumultuous relationship between two brothers, played by Jamie Bell and Richard Gadd, over nearly 40 years. Between family violence, masculine identity and social evolution, the series promises a poignant exploration of brotherhood and its contradictions.

This article is based on information available online; we have not yet viewed the series mentioned.

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