Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell will star in ‘Half Man’, a six-episode drama series co-produced by HBO and the BBC.
Formerly known as “Lions,” “Half Man” was created, written and executive produced by Gadd, the Emmy-winning creator and star of Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer.” The BBC commissioned “Lions” – from Mam Tor Prods of Banijay UK. – in February, ahead of the spring premiere of “Baby Reindeer” on Netflix, where it quickly became a huge hit and rocketed Gadd to the A-list.
HBO joined the project as co-producer in June. At the time, Gadd was listed as the creator, writer and executive producer of the “Lions” series, but he was not attached to star in it.
Now not only has the film been renamed ‘Half Man’, but Gadd will actually star in it. Gadd and Bell (“All of Us Strangers,” “Rocket Man”) will play estranged “brothers” Ruben and Niall, respectively, in the series, which will begin filming in Scotland in 2025.
The official synopsis reads: “When Niall’s estranged ‘brother’ Ruben shows up at his wedding, it sparks an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives. This ambitious series spans nearly forty years, from the 1980s to the present, and covers 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 attempt to get to the bottom of the difficult question… What does it mean to be a man?
Along with Gadd, executive producers include Tally Garner and Morven Reid of Mam Tor Productions (a Banjilay UK company), Gaynor Holmes for the BBC and Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland. The series is directed by Alexandra Brodski (“Somewhere Boy,” “Rivals”) and Eshref Reybrouck (“Ferry: The Series,” “Cheyenne & Lola”), with Wendy Griffin (“Limbo,” “The Lost King”) producing . The show will be shot in Scotland.
“Half Man” was created by Mam Tor Productions for HBO, BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland. Banijay Rights handles international distribution outside Great Britain, Ireland and the US. Screen Scotland is supporting the production.
Gadd is represented by UTA; Markham, Froggatt and Irwin; and individual artist management. Bell is represented by CAA; 3 artist entertainment; and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.