Gadd's New Drama Explores Toxic Masculinity's Roots

Richard Gadd, acclaimed for 'Baby Reindeer,' presents 'Half Man,' a new six-part drama examining toxic masculinity and its origins. Set to premiere on Friday, April 24, 2026, the series travels back to the 1980s, predating social media but still rife with male confusion and violence.

The story centers on the 30-plus-year relationship between the introverted Niall, played by Jamie Bell, and Gadd's character, Ruben. The drama kicks off on Niall's wedding day, with Ruben's potential disruption hinting at their turbulent past. Flashbacks reveal Ruben's arrival in Niall's life as a teenager after his release from a young offenders institution, leading to a complex friendship formed through shared experiences.

Ruben's mother had escaped an abusive partner and was living with Niall's mother when Ruben moved in. He introduces a young Niall to sex and drugs, while Niall offers Ruben his first genuine friendship. Gadd underwent significant physical transformation for the role, spending hours in the gym to embody Ruben's imposing physique, switching between a 'meaty and beefy' present-day look and a leaner appearance for flashbacks.

Gadd was inspired to write 'Half Man' by ongoing debates surrounding toxic masculinity. He sought to explore its origins, linking it to societal repression and the lasting effects of trauma on developing male minds. The series is set in Glasgow, a city Gadd called home for four years, chosen partly because its transformation mirrors Niall's personal struggles within a historically challenging environment.