HALF MAN Trailer Unleashes Richard Gadd’s Explosive Return After BABY REINDEER
Audiences finally have their first look at Half Man, the intense new drama from Richard Gadd, and it looks raw, chaotic, and unsettling.
After the massive success of Baby Reindeer, Gadd is stepping back into the spotlight with a story that digs into brotherhood, violence, and emotional damage in a way that feels both personal and unpredictable.
Gadd isn’t just starring here. He created, wrote, and executive produced the series, putting his full creative weight behind the project.
This time, he plays Ruben, a volatile and unpredictable man whose connection to his step-brother Niall sits at the center of the story. The two aren’t related by blood, but their bond runs deep, described as “not related in blood but the closest you can get. One, fierce and loyal. The other, meek and mild-mannered.”
Jamie Bell steps into the role of Niall, replacing Barry Keoghan from earlier development, and brings a tension to the character that contrasts sharply with Gadd’s explosive presence.
The series also explores their younger years, with Stuart Campbell playing young Ruben and Mitchell Robertson as young Niall, giving the story a layered timeline that jumps between past and present.
The trailer wastes no time throwing viewers into the emotional storm. Set to Tame Impala’s “Let It Happen,” it opens on Niall’s wedding day. Ruben, dressed in a black leather jacket and hoodie, stands out immediately among the polished guests.
When he rises to speak, the tone shifts fast: “Hello. For those who don’t know me, I’m Ruben Pallister and I’m going to tell you about Niall Kennedy,” he says menacingly while Bell sits beside him, looking downcast. “I remember the first time I met him; he was only a kid.”
From there, the footage jumps back to their childhood. Niall learns Ruben is moving into his room, reacting with immediate panic: “What? No way! He’s a psycho!” The footage proves that fear isn’t misplaced. Young Ruben storms into an exam hall, slamming the door open and shouting “Wooo!” in a moment that captures his chaotic energy.
What follows is a barrage of intense imagery. Ruben spirals through violent outbursts, flashes of criminal behavior, and eventual imprisonment. There are glimpses of him wielding a flick knife, lashing out in rage, and even mimicking a gun as he’s arrested.
Meanwhile, Niall’s life unfolds in parallel, filled with anxiety, fear, and escalating consequences, including police encounters and a devastating car crash. The trailer teases even more, with scenes involving a funeral, a press conference, and police breaking down doors.
Visually and emotionally, Half Man looks like it’s leaning hard into discomfort, refusing to soften its edges. The shifting timelines and contrasting personalities create a sense of inevitability, like everything is building toward something ugly and unavoidable.
The six-episode series was filmed in Glasgow, Scotland, with Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck directing. It’s set to debut on April 24, rolling out weekly on HBO across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America, while U.K. audiences can catch it on the BBC.