Richard Gadd’s Sophomore Series Half Man Debuts to Mixed Reviews Following Baby Reindeer Success

Richard Gadd returns with Half Man, a 6-part HBO crime drama starring Jamie Bell. Early reviews show a 68% Rotten Tomatoes score as it debuts globally.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 8:48 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Collider

A Departure From Digital Streaming Roots

Two years after the cultural phenomenon of his previous thriller, Richard Gadd has returned to the television landscape with a gritty new project that marks a significant shift in his professional trajectory. Unlike his debut sensation, Half Man is a six-part miniseries produced for HBO and the BBC, signaling Gadd’s move toward prestige cable and international co-production. The series, which premiered its pilot on April 23, 2026, attempts to navigate the high expectations set by his earlier award-winning work while establishing a narrative identity independent of the platform that first brought him global recognition.

The Volatile Dynamic of Ruben and Niall

At the heart of the new drama is the fractured relationship between two half-brothers, Niall, portrayed by Jamie Bell, and Ruben, played by Gadd himself. Although the pair are not biological relatives, their shared upbringing provides the foundation for a story defined by explosive tension and physical violence. The narrative structure utilizes a dual-timeline approach, frequently transitioning between the present day and the 1980s to examine the historical roots of their mutual discomfort. This structural choice aims to peel back layers of a bond that is as enduring as it is psychologically damaging.

Critical Reception and the Shadow of Success

Early critical feedback suggests a divided front regarding the quality of the production, particularly when measured against Gadd’s previous 99% approval rating. Half Man entered the market with a 68% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 28 professional reviews, a figure that highlights a more scrutinized reception. While some reviewers found the work to be masterfully tense, others argued that the execution felt like a calculated attempt to replicate the gravity of his past success. According to Nick Hilton of The Independent, there is a nagging suspicion that the program is trying too hard to be startling and important.