Per Deadline, HBO and BBC have ordered Half Man, a new drama series created by Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer, Wedding Season) and starring Gadd and Jamie Bell (DI Ray, Shining Girls). The series will consist of six original episodes and is slated to begin shooting in Scotland next year.
Half Man will follow the relationship of estranged ‘brothers’ Niall, played by Bell, and Ruben, played by Gadd. 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.
The “ambitious” series will span almost forty years from the 80s to the present day, covering the highs and lows of the brothers’ relationship, from their meeting as teenagers to their falling out as adults – with all the “good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging” moments along the way. It will capture the wild energy of a changing city – a changing world, even – and try to get to the bottom of the difficult question: What does it mean to be a man?
Gadd described Bell as “one of the greatest actors of his generation.” He added, “When I wrote the show, I did it with him in mind, never thinking for a second we would manage to land him.”
Half Man will be Bell’s first BBC TV series. He previously won a BAFTA for the film Billy Elliott two decades ago, with past credits including projects All of Us Strangers, Rocketman and Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool.
The series is created, written and executive produced by Gadd alongside executive producers Tally Garner (Chloe, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell) and Morven Reid (Pure, River City) from the Banijay UK company Mam Tor Productions, Gaynor Holmes (Shetland, Nightsleeper) for the BBC and Gavin Smith (Guilt, Scot Squad) for BBC Scotland.
Alexandra Brodski (Rivals, Somewhere Boy) and Eshref Reybrouck (Aspe, Danni Lowinski) will direct Half Man, which will be produced by Wendy Griffin (Jonathan Creek, Retribution). The series is made by Mam Tor Productions for HBO, BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland. Banijay Rights handles international distribution outside the UK, Ireland and the US. Screen Scotland supports Half Man.
Gadd is represented by UTA, Markham, Froggatt and Irwin; Casarotto Ramsay & Associates; Individual Artist Management and Granderson Des Rochers. Bell is represented by CAA, 3 Arts Entertainment and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.