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Season 1 – Half Man

Play trailer 1:20 Poster for Season 1 – Half Man Apr 2026 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
77% Tomatometer 66 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 100+ 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

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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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Wenlei Ma The Nightly (AU) 5d
It’s a prime example of something you admire versus something you like. Go to Full Review Graeme Blundell The Australian May 15
Yes, it’s bleak and chilling, and hard to watch at times, unleavened by the surreal humour of Gadd’s Baby Reindeer, but Half Man sure is brave, if extremely uncomfortable viewing. Go to Full Review Inkoo Kang The New Yorker May 14
For all these efforts to psychoanalyze, [Ruben] ultimately feels more like a cautionary tale than a fully realized character. The show’s plotting and Niall’s exquisite complexity more than make up for Ruben’s relative flatness. Go to Full Review Bruce R. Miller Sioux City Journal 12h
3.5/4
Like "Baby Reindeer," "Half Man" prompts discussion. See it with someone you love and you’ll be debating for hours. Go to Full Review Steve Murray ArtsATL May 15
Gadd can tell whatever story he wants. But Half Man’s narrative is so painfully slow and obvious, it’s made me want to shake the screen and get the story moving. Go to Full Review Alison Rowat The Herald (Scotland) May 14
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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jamal J @RT63043454 1d I love it so much, Richard Gadd is a Genius See more matthew G. @matt8778 2d Fantastic performances. Hauntingly beautiful. See more Ruben S @RT92913904 2d This is an amazing series. I just wished it would have been a regular series with at least five season. The actors surely should win a couple of awards for their performances. See more Jasmine P @RT34071024 4d I cannot stop thinking about this series. I’ve never felt the need to leave a review but I just had too. I’ve loved the work of many writers before, but this felt completely different. It touched something deep in me which I can’t fully explain. The honesty , vulnerability and courage it must have taken to write and produce something like this is incredible. Richard Gadd has yet again created something truly unforgettable, and every member of the cast brought so much depth and humanity to the story. Jamie Bells performance in particular was phenomenal it was raw and completely captivating especially in episode 4. This series stays with you long after the episode ends. Fridays have become an exciting day for me cannot wait to see what this story awaits. See more Umutoni G @RT01569678 4d Pretty emotional show overall. It’s more character-focused than action packed, but that’s what makes it feel real. See more Ljb B. @LJB505 May 17 A deep run down the rabbit hole of latent homosexual tendencies and the role between two unrelated by blood “brothers”. Very depressing and unhappy. If you feel like torturing yourself submit to the series and you will find plenty. See more Read all reviews
Half Man — Season 1

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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 Aired May 14, 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 5 Aired May 12, 2026 Niall and Ava face major life changes as Ruben struggles with his relationship; An impulsive choice between Mona and Niall has serious consequences for all involved. Details Episode 6 Aired May 18, 2026 2014; Niall builds a new life, but old ties resurface when Mona reconnects with Ruben, forcing difficult choices. 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

Half Man View more photos

Season Info

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