Half Man: the new series from the creator of My Little Reindeer arriving this April on HBO Max

Half Man, the upcoming drama series created by Richard Gadd, is gaining clarity with a scheduled release in April 2026 on HBO, HBO Max, as well as on BBC iPlayer, BBC One, and BBC Scotland in the UK and Ireland. This six-episode mini-series, starring Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell, explores over several decades the evolving bond of brotherhood marked by violence, attachment, and deep personal rifts.

Following My Little Reindeer, Richard Gadd continues in a tense and dramatic vein, shifting his focus this time towards brotherhood and the journey of masculinity. The series is produced by Mam Tor Productions, in partnership with Thistledown Pictures, for the BBC and HBO, with international distribution outside these territories handled by Banijay Rights.

Niall and Ruben are like brothers, even though they aren’t related by blood. One is fiery and fiercely loyal, while the other is gentler and more reserved. Brought together by tragedy and circumstance, they grow up with only each other to lean on as they navigate their way forward.

But when Ruben shows up at Niall’s wedding decades later, something has shifted. An eruption of violence then transforms the story, which jumps from the 1980s to the present day to trace thirty years of a relationship defined by wounds, silences, and contradictions.

Half-Man

Across six episodes, Half Man delves into brotherhood, the brutal dynamics of male relationships, and the fragile bonds we often believe are unbreakable. The series is rooted in a blend of social and personal drama, with a storytelling approach that spans multiple eras, highlighting both the wear and tear of the characters and that of their surroundings.

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The cast features Richard Gadd, Jamie Bell, Stuart Campbell, Mitchell Robertson, Neve McIntosh, Marianne McIvor, Charlie De Melo, Bilal Hasna, Julie Cullen, Amy Manson, Anjli Mohindra, Tim Downie, Tom Andrews, Philippine Velge, Stuart McQuarrie, Sandy Batchelor, Piers Ewart, and Scot Greenan, along with Charlotte Blackwood, Calum Manchip, and Kate Robson-Stuart. This diverse, multi-generational lineup reflects the narrative's structure, which follows characters from youth into adulthood.

The series is created, written, and produced by Richard Gadd. Direction is carried out by Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck. Among the executive producers are Sophie Gardiner and Anna O'Malley, alongside Gaynor Holmes for the BBC, Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland, and Tally Garner and Morven Reid for Mam Tor Productions. Half Man also receives support from Screen Scotland.

Centered around a compelling subject, the series is poised to attract viewers who are fans of family dramas and stories that explore themes of violence, loyalty, and the fragile nature of male bonds. Spanning several decades and grounded in a rich social setting, Half Man promises to be a gripping drama that probes both the personal wounds of its characters and the societal backdrop in which they unfold.

Half Man
Series | 2026
Season 1 available on HBO Max April 2026
Drama series | 6 episodes
Created by Richard Gadd | Starring Richard Gadd, Jamie Bell, Stuart Campbell, Mitchell Robertson
Original title: Half Man
Country: United Kingdom

Half-Man

With this mini-series, Richard Gadd continues to explore characters who are wounded and relationships weighed down by intense emotional pressure. Half Man offers a tight yet expansive narrative, where the closeness between two men becomes the gateway to a deeper reflection on anger, loyalty, and society’s lingering expectations of masculinity.

Similarly, one might think of My Little Reindeer for its emotional depth, or This Is England for its portrayal of human relationships within a broader social context.

For an even deeper dive, check out our curated list of HBO Max’s new releases for April, our comprehensive guide to latest streaming titles across all platforms, and today’s top picks for what to watch today in streaming.

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