The BBC has released the first official trailer for ‘Half Man‘, the new six-part drama from Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer, Against the Law), giving us a first proper look at what appears to be another intense, emotionally bruising piece of television from the writer and star.
Debuting exclusively in the UK on BBC iPlayer later this month, the series follows Ruben and Niall, two men bound together like brothers, despite not being related by blood. Their relationship stretches back decades, shaped by death, circumstance and a deep, messy loyalty that clearly comes with plenty of scars. From the footage, this looks less like a straightforward family drama and more like something raw, volatile and quietly devastating.
Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer, Against the Law) stars as Ruben opposite Jamie Bell (All of Us Strangers, Rocketman) as Niall, with the story beginning when Ruben turns up at Niall’s wedding after years apart. It does not exactly scream “easy reunion.” What follows is an explosion of violence that sends the story spiralling back through their lives, from the 1980s to the present day, as the drama explores brotherhood, trauma, violence and the fragile fault lines in male relationships.
The newly released trailer also gives a glimpse of Mitchell Robertson (Curfew, Mayflies) and Stuart Campbell (SAS Rogue Heroes, The Winter King) as the younger versions of Niall and Ruben, alongside Neve McIntosh (Tin Star, Chemistry of Death) as Niall’s mother Lori and Marianne McIvor (Screw, The Nest) as Ruben’s mother Maura.
The wider cast includes Charlie De Melo (Rivals), Bilal Hasna (The Agency), Julie Cullen (Traces), Amy Manson (The Nevers), Anjli Mohindra (The Lazarus Project), Tim Downie (Outlander), Tom Andrews (Feel Good), Philippine Velge (The Serpent Queen), Stuart McQuarrie (The Rig), Sandy Batchelor (SAS Rogue Heroes), Piers Ewart (The Primrose Railway Children), Scot Greenan (T2 Trainspotting), plus newcomers Charlotte Blackwood, Calum Manchip and Kate Robson-Stuart.
Created, written and executive produced by Gadd, the drama is directed by Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck, and comes from Mam Tor Productions in association with Thistledown Pictures. It is a co-production with HBO, which will air the series in the US, Latin America and Europe.
Given how much impact Baby Reindeer had, there is obviously going to be plenty of attention on whatever Gadd did next. Based on this first trailer, ‘Half Man’ looks like it is not aiming to be any lighter.
‘Half Man’ premieres Friday, 24th April 2026 on BBC iPlayer.
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