Don’t miss the harrowing drama of HBO Max and the BBC’s ‘Half Man’
Don’t miss the harrowing drama of HBO Max and the BBC’s ‘Half Man’
Set to premiere in 2026, ‘Half Man’ explores how a single moment can unravel a lifetime of complicated history.
Following the incredible success of “Baby Reindeer” Richard Gadd is returning to prestige TV with a new limited drama series called “Half Man.” This drama from HBO and the BBC spans 40 years and dives deep into male friendship, identity, and the messy parts of growing up. The premiere of the six-part series debuts on HBO Max on Thursday, April 23. You can catch it all with a subscription to HBO Max.
How to watch ‘Half Man’
- When: Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET
- TV: HBO Max
- Stream: Watch with a subscription to HBO Max.
- From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.
Everything you need to know about ‘Half Man’:
When will episodes of ‘Half Man’ come on HBO Max?
The first episode of “Half Man” will begin streaming on HBO Max on Thursday, April 23 at 9 p.m. ET. From there, the rest of the six-episode series will roll out on Thursday nights through May 28.
What is the complete ‘Half Man’ episode schedule?
| Date | Time (ET) | Episode | Outlet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, April 23 | 9 p.m. | Episode 1: Premiere | HBO Max |
| Thursday, April 30 | 9 p.m. | Episode 2 | HBO Max |
| Thursday, May 7 | 9 p.m. | Episode 3 | HBO Max |
| Thursday, May 14 | 9 p.m. | Episode 4 | HBO Max |
| Thursday, May 21 | 9 p.m. | Episode 5 | HBO Max |
| Thursday, May 28 | 9 p.m. | Episode 6: Finale | HBO Max |
Can you watch episodes of ‘Half Man’ for free?
Not really. HBO Max doesn’t offer a free trial right now, so once “Half Man” premieres, you’ll need a paid subscription to watch. The cheapest plan is $10 per month with ads, or you can go ad-free for $17 per month, and if you want the full bells-and-whistles plan (4K, downloads, all that), it’s $21 per month. HBO Max does occasionally drop promo offers for new users, so it’s worth checking before the show drops.
Now, there are some somewhat sneaky ways that you can work yourself into checking out an episode or two for free. Since numerous live TV streaming services include HBO as a premium add-on, and some also offer HBO Max as a complementary benefit, if you pick one that has a free trial — DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV — you might be able to add HBO and/or use HBO Max at no cost during that period. Obviously, you will need to check all of the terms and conditions for each individual service, but it is a possibility.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
Watch the trailer for ‘Half Man’
What is ‘Half Man’ about?
“Half Man” is a raw, emotional drama about two guys who used to be as close as brothers… until everything fell apart. Richard Gadd plays Ruben, and Jamie Bell plays Niall — and when Ruben shows up uninvited to Niall’s wedding, it kicks off a violent moment that sends the show hurtling back through nearly 40 years of their tangled history.
The story jumps between the 1980s and today, showing how these two met as troubled teenagers and how things unraveled over time. It’s messy, intense, sometimes funny, and full of big questions about masculinity, friendship, identity, and what happens when people you love also hurt you. And with Glasgow as the backdrop, the show’s also got that gritty, changing-city energy that mirrors how these characters grow and break apart. If you liked “Baby Reindeer,” this is Gadd going even bigger and deeper — just not autobiographical this time.
Get a first look at ‘Half Man’
Click images to expand to full size.
Who stars in ‘Half Man’?
Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell lead the cast of “Half Man,” playing two estranged “brothers” whose explosive reunion sets the whole story in motion. Gadd — who also created and wrote the show — stars as Ruben, while Bell plays Niall, the man whose wedding gets interrupted in the most dramatic way possible. The show also flashes back across decades, with Stuart Campbell and Mitchell Robertson playing young Ruben and young Niall.
Beyond the leads, the cast is stacked with talent. Neve McIntosh plays Niall’s mother, Lori, and Marianne McIvor plays Ruben’s mother, Maura. You’ll also see familiar faces like Charlie De Melo, Bilal Hasna, Julie Cullen, Amy Manson, Philippine Velge, Stuart McQuarrie, Scot Greenan, Piers Ewart, plus newcomers Charlotte Blackwood and Calum Manchip. It’s a big ensemble, but at the center of it all is this charged, complicated relationship between Ruben and Niall that drives everything forward.
Who are the creators behind ‘Half Man’?
“Half Man” is created by Richard Gadd, the same guy behind the breakout Netflix hit “Baby Reindeer.” But unlike that show, which was based on his real life, this one’s entirely fictional. Gadd didn’t just come up with the story. He also wrote the scripts, stars as Ruben, and serves as an executive producer. He’s been working on this series for years, and after the success of “Baby Reindeer,” the buzz around this one is already building fast.
Will there be a Season 2 of ‘Half Man’?
Right now, “Half Man” is being billed as a limited series, so there’s no word on a Season 2, and honestly, it might just be a one-and-done. The story spans nearly 40 years and seems designed to tell a complete arc about Ruben and Niall, from their teenage bond to their adult fallout. That said, never say never. If the show takes off the way “Baby Reindeer” did, and there’s more story to tell, it wouldn’t be shocking to see HBO or the BBC want more. But for now, don’t count on a second season.
Once ‘Half Man’ drops and you watch it, let us know what you think in the comments below.
Half Man
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.