Jamie Bell (All of Us Strangers, Rocket Man) has been tapped to star opposite ‘Baby Reindeer’s Emmy award-winning creator Richard Gadd in Gadd’s new drama ‘Half Man‘ for the BBC & HBO, which spans decades of the lives of two “brothers”.
‘Half Man’ (previously titled ‘Lions’) follows estranged “brothers” Niall (Bell) and Ruben (Gadd). When Ruben shows up unexpectedly at Niall’s wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives. Spanning almost 40 years from the 1980s to the present day, this ambitious series will cover the highs and lows of the brothers’ relationship, from their meeting as teenagers to their falling out as adults – with all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging moments along the way. ‘Half Man’ will capture the wild energy of a changing city – a changing world, even – and try to get to the bottom of the difficult question… What does it mean to be a man?
“I am delighted to confirm I will be playing Ruben in the newly crowned Half Man for the BBC / HBO alongside the incomparable Jamie Bell,” said Gadd, creator, writer and executive producer. “When I wrote the show, I did it with him in mind, never thinking for a second we would manage to land him. So I could not be happier for everything that has come to pass in getting him on board. He is one of the greatest actors of his generation and I am so looking forward to seeing what he does with the role. Thanks to all the staff at the BBC, HBO, and Mam Tor Productions for making it all happen. I cannot wait to work with you all in the months ahead.”
The six-episode drama was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. The series is created, written and executive produced by Richard Gadd alongside executive producers Tally Garner and Morven Reid from Mam Tor Productions, Gaynor Holmes for the BBC and Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland. The producer is Wendy Griffin (Limbo, The Lost King) with Alexandra Brodski (Somewhere Boy, Rivals) and Eshref Reybrouck (Ferry: The Series, Cheyenne & Lola) attached to direct.
“It’s been such a privilege to see Half Man take shape, and to know that cameras will be rolling soon,” adds Lindsay Salt. “In Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell we have the perfect Ruben and Niall – two characters like no other, whose epic journey through the decades we can’t wait to have on the BBC.”
‘Half Man‘ does not yet have a premiere date but will air on BBC One & iPlayer in the UK and on HBO in the USA. If you want to keep track of this or any other show, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
