The creator of Baby Reindeer is back with a new show, but this time the story is very different. Richard Gadd’s latest project, titled Half Man, just arrived on BBC iPlayer on April 24, 2026. This six-part drama follows two men connected as brothers and their very troubled relationship over 30 years. Unlike his Netflix hit, this is a fictional story filled with violence and heavy emotions. Critics have strong opinions about it, and some viewers might find it hard to sit through. This guide will give you all the details about the cast, the story, and the mixed reviews so you can decide if you want to watch it or skip it.
The Story of Two Brothers in This British Drama
Half Man tells the story of Niall and Ruben, two boys who become stepbrothers when their mothers start a relationship. Niall is quiet and gets bullied at school. Ruben is wild, just got out of a young offenders center, and is very violent. Even though they are very different, they form a powerful and unhealthy bond that lasts for decades.
The show starts at Niall’s wedding as an adult. Ruben shows up without an invitation, and things quickly turn bad. A violent fight breaks out, and that event sends the story back in time. Viewers see their teenage years in the late 1980s and follow them through tough moments involving family problems, secrets about their sexuality, and more acts of violence. The show uses these flashbacks to show how their past created the broken men they become.
Cast and Episode Release Schedule
Richard Gadd plays the adult Ruben, and Jamie Bell (known for Billy Elliot) plays the adult Niall. The younger versions of the characters are played by Stuart Campbell (young Ruben) and Mitchell Robertson (young Niall). Both young actors have received strong praise for their work.
The show releases one new episode every week. The first episode dropped on BBC iPlayer on April 24. After that, new episodes come out every Friday at 6am (UK time). The final sixth episode will be available on May 29. For people who prefer regular TV, the show also airs on BBC One starting Tuesday, April 28, at 10:40 PM.
Global Streaming Details:
- USA: No official release date announced yet
- Canada: No official release date announced yet
- Australia: No official release date announced yet
- India: No official release date announced yet
Mixed Reviews From Critics
The reviews for Half Man are very split. On Rotten Tomatoes, the show has a 72% score from critics. Some love it, while others say it is too hard to watch.
“Half Man is an excellent but difficult watch,” said one critic from HuffPost UK. “A viciousness runs through the narrative, and countless acts of violence depicted.”
The BBC’s own review gave it four stars, calling it a “brutal ‘conversation starter’” and praising the acting of Gadd and Bell. The critic wrote that Gadd “successfully asks for understanding and sympathy” for the damaged characters. The Guardian gave it a perfect five-star review, saying it is “brave, brutal, blazing TV.”
However, other critics had problems with the show. Empire Magazine gave it three stars. They said the story becomes “a bit of a bleak-fest that makes it hard to really engage with it.” The Herald Scotland also gave it three stars, pointing out that some scenes are “unnecessarily graphic” and that the show feels too long, suggesting it “should have been a movie.”
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Should You Watch or Skip This Show?
You should consider watching Half Man if you liked Richard Gadd’s previous work and want to see a deep, emotional story about male relationships. The acting, especially from Jamie Bell and the young actors, is very strong. The show tries to seriously explore why men act out in violent ways and how family ties can trap people. It is a show that will make you think.
You should skip this show if you do not like watching violence or if you need a light or fun drama. Half Man is very dark and does not offer easy answers. Several reviews mention that the show is “emotionally draining.” If Baby Reindeer was too intense for you, this show is even heavier. The violence is graphic, and the story offers very little relief from the sadness.
Also Read: Running Point Season 1 Recap: All You Need To Know Before The Netflix Comedy’s Return
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