The team behind the new HBO series Half Man has brought together an impressive group of actors to tell this story about brotherhood, violence, and complicated relationships. The show marks Richard Gadd’s first project since his Emmy-winning success with Baby Reindeer. With the release date set for April 23, 2026, on HBO, viewers will soon meet the full cast bringing this six-episode drama to life.
The story follows two men, Niall and Ruben, whose bond stretches across nearly 40 years. Their relationship takes a sharp turn when Ruben appears at Niall’s wedding, leading to an outburst of violence that sends the story back through their shared history from the 1980s to today. The production filmed in and around Glasgow, Scotland, and is a joint effort between the BBC and HBO.
The Main Leads: Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell
Richard Gadd stars as Ruben, one half of the central pair. Gadd not only acts in the series but also created, wrote, and serves as executive producer. His work on Baby Reindeer earned him widespread recognition, and Half Man represents his return to television in a lead role. Ruben is described as meek and mild-mannered, the quieter presence in the duo compared to his counterpart.
Jamie Bell plays Niall, described as fierce and loyal. Bell, a BAFTA-winning actor known for films like Billy Elliot, Rocketman, and All of Us Strangers, brings experience playing emotionally complex characters. The two actors portray the characters during their adult years, after decades of separation have changed who they are.
The Younger Cast: Mitchell Robertson and Stuart Campbell
Because Half Man spans nearly 40 years, the series needed actors to play the younger versions of the main characters. Mitchell Robertson takes on the role of young Niall. Robertson has appeared in Curfew and Mayflies, showing his ability to handle dramatic material.
Stuart Campbell plays young Ruben. Campbell’s previous credits include SAS Rogue Heroes and The Winter King, where he demonstrated his range in period and action-focused productions. Together, Robertson and Campbell show viewers how Niall and Ruben first connected as troubled teenagers and what led them to become the men seen in the present-day scenes.
The Mothers: Neve McIntosh and Marianne McIvor
Family plays an important role in shaping the two main characters. Neve McIntosh portrays Lori, Niall’s mother. McIntosh has built a solid career with roles in Tin Star, Doctor Who, and Chemistry of Death. Her character provides insight into what shaped Niall’s fierce and loyal personality.
Marianne McIvor plays Maura, Ruben’s mother. McIvor’s work includes parts in Screw and The Nest. Through these two maternal figures, the series explores how family circumstances brought the two boys together and influenced their paths through life.
Supporting Cast Members
The production has assembled a deep roster of supporting actors who fill out the world of Half Man. The cast includes:
- Charlie De Melo, known for Rivals and The Interceptor
- Bilal Hasna, who appeared in The Agency
- Julie Cullen, recognizable from Traces
- Amy Manson, whose credits include The Nevers
- Anjli Mohindra, seen in The Lazarus Project
- Tim Downie, known for Outlander
- Tom Andrews, who appeared in Feel Good
- Philippine Velge, recognizable from The Serpent Queen and Station Eleven
- Stuart McQuarrie, whose work includes The Rig and 28 Days Later
- Sandy Batchelor, who appeared in SAS Rogue Heroes
- Piers Ewart, known for The Primrose Railway Children
- Scot Greenan, whose credits include T2 Trainspotting
The production also introduced newcomers Charlotte Blackwood, Calum Manchip, and Kate Robson-Stuart to television audiences.
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Release and Streaming Details
Half Man will debut on April 23, 2026, on HBO in the United States. The episodes will also be available on HBO Max across the US, Latin America, and Europe. For viewers in the UK and Ireland, the series arrives on April 24, 2026, on BBC iPlayer, BBC One, and BBC Scotland. Both networks will release episodes weekly, allowing audiences to follow the story as it unfolds across its six-episode run.
The series comes from Mam Tor Productions, a Banijay UK company, working with Thistledown Pictures. The production received support from Screen Scotland, which helped bring the Glasgow-shot production to life.
Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck directed the series. Brodski’s previous work includes Somewhere Boy and Rivals, while Reybrouck directed episodes of Ferry: The Series. The executive producer team includes Sophie Gardiner, Anna O’Malley, Gaynor Holmes for the BBC, Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland, and Tally Garner and Morven Reid for Mam Tor Productions.
The series promises to capture “30 years in the lives of these broken men,” exploring what happens when the closest relationships break apart after decades of shared history.
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