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Season 1 – Half Man

Play trailer 1:20 Poster for Season 1 – Half Man Next Ep May 18 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 61 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
When Niall's estranged brother Ruben shows up at his wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives, from the eighties to the present day.

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Half Man — Season 1

Half Man — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Richard Gadd delivers a broodingly bleak sophomore effort that dares to plumb the depths of toxic masculinity and repression in a complex and unsettling tale that makes for unsettlingly good TV.

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Critics Reviews

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Martin Robinson London Evening Standard May 6
4/5
It’s brave work from Gadd, there is little trace of the nerdy stand-up we all loved in his previous show, and there’s a sense of him trying to do something genuinely new and unexpected. Go to Full Review Nicholas Harris New Statesman May 6
It makes for a striking and, at times, frightening story about fraternal trauma. But I never found that its commentary about masculinity overcame the particularities of its plotting. Go to Full Review Robert Levin Newsday May 5
2.5/4
Gadd remains a first-rate talent; anything he does is worth watching. But it's hard to sit through this one. Go to Full Review Alison Rowat The Herald (Scotland) 27m
3/5
This should have been a movie, preferably one where someone cried “enough” when required... That might have made the difference between a good piece of television and a great one. Go to Full Review Tom Beasley Voice Magazine 10h
3/5
Half Man has moments of that genius, with Gadd’s scriptwriting periodically delivering perceptive gems of dialogue. Unfortunately, though, this is a six-part series with an unfortunate tendency to ladle on so much sorrow and plight that it drowns. Go to Full Review John Paul King Washington Blade 1d
In any case, Gadd's newest variation on a theme is a solidly crafted, well-acted, and hypnotically fascinating exercise in the kind of "can't look away" drama that makes for a perfect binge watch. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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A M. @Adrieonnamaplethorpe 17h SO ADDICTING! This show is honestly not something I would typically find myself watching, but there I was, bored and searching for something new, hoping to stumble across a gem—and then this appeared. I was completely hooked, smiling, laughing, and crying at the screen for hours. It is hard to find a character as intense and polarizing as Ruben. See more Taj M @RT67826069 18h Probably like most viewers, I was a big fan of Baby Reindeer and was eager to see what Gadd had to offer next. While I appreciate the dark and gritty, Half Man is unrelenting in its onslaught of misery. It's just one traumatic scene after another -- with zero levity. All in the service of a story that's been told many times before. It's not bad per se, but just a slog. See more R L. @RL2025 1d I don’t get the negative reviews. I’m hooked on the show. See more Jonathan M @Jonathan555 2d Trying to be edgy, but just awful script about awful people See more Brent S @Brent617 2d This guy’s shows should contain a ‘Warning may contain brief moments of entertainment’ (but not much) .Another feel bad show for the miserably entitled guiltily privileged lot to suffer through. I’ll watch a Frasier rerun over this putrid bile any day of the week. Who gives these people money to produce this tripe? See more dlma1 M @dlma1 2d This series stars Richard Gadd ("Baby Reindeer") and Jamie Bell as two men raised as brothers by their lesbian mothers. Also stars Mitchell Robinson as the younger version of Bell's character and Stuart Campbell as the younger version of Gadd's character. Gadd/Campbell represent the uber masculine half while Bell/Robinson represent the gentle, contemplative half of a man. There are many dramatic confrontations between the two halves as well their interactions with others. The series has some violence that may be disturbing to some viewers. But I would recommend the series for drama fans as the acting and writing are excellent (Stuart Campbell's performance is especially good). 8/10 See more Read all reviews
Half Man — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Richard Gadd

Creator

Jamie Bell

Niall

Richard Gadd

Ruben

Neve McIntosh

Lori

Charlie de Melo

Alby

Tom Andrews

Butch

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Ruben shows up unexpectedly at Niall's wedding; this surprise visit turns what should be a joyous occasion into chaos, leading to an eruption of violence that catapults back through the decades. Details Episode 2 Aired Apr 30, 2026 After struggling to fit in at university, an isolated Niall turns to Ruben for help, but his presence leads to devastating consequences. Details Episode 3 Aired May 2, 2026 1993. His mother asks Niall to lie in court about Ruben's violence, and he is conflicted. Ruben seems different now, so the decision weighs heavily on him. Details Episode 4 Airs May 14 When Niall's estranged brother Ruben shows up at his wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives, from the eighties to the present day. Details Episode 5 Aired May 12, 2026 When Niall's estranged brother Ruben shows up at his wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives, from the eighties to the present day. Details Episode 6 Airs May 18 When Niall's estranged brother Ruben shows up at his wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives, from the eighties to the present day. Details
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Half Man — Season 1

Half Man: Limited Series Trailer - Weeks Ahead Half Man: Limited Series Trailer - Weeks Ahead 1:20 Half Man: Season 1 Featurette - Behind the Story Half Man: Season 1 Featurette - Behind the Story 1:55 Half Man: Limited Series Trailer Half Man: Limited Series Trailer 2:13 View more videos
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Half Man — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Eshref Reybrouck, Alexandra Brodski
Creator
Richard Gadd
Screenwriter
Richard Gadd
Network
HBO
Genre
Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Apr 23, 2026