Half Man: A Deep-Dive into Its Creation, Setting, and Exploration of Masculinity

“Half Man” is a scripted series that follows the adult lives of two Scottish men, Niall and Ruben, across several decades. The narrative begins in the 1980s and progresses to the present, using the characters’ evolving relationship to examine how early-life prejudice and trauma shape contemporary expressions of masculinity. The series was conceived by actor-writer Richard Gadd, who also portrays the adult Ruben from episode four onward, and visual-designer Alexandra Brodski, who serves as co-creator and production designer.

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The creators deliberately anchored the story in 1980s Scotland, a period they describe as “famously unaccepting.” Gadd notes that this era’s social climate—marked by bullying, prejudice, and limited acceptance of LGBTQ identities—provides a backdrop for the characters’ formative experiences. Glasgow is highlighted as a “cultural capital” that has undergone rapid transformation, including the growth of a sizable LGBTQ community. The production team incorporated local brutalist architecture and Scottish street photography to convey the city’s texture and to reflect the “rawness and warmth” of the narrative environment.

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Richard Gadd, a Scottish performer, brings personal insight to the series, drawing on his earlier work on the Netflix series *Baby Reindeer* to emphasize a principle of full-scale commitment to a project. Alexandra Brodski, an American designer, contributed a visual board of Scottish imagery to shape the series’ aesthetic. Both creators stress that the characters Niall and Ruben are “complicated and truthful,” possessing “darkness” alongside “love.” Gadd prepared for the role of adult Ruben by focusing on the character’s internal pain rather than solely on outward aggression, employing a distinctive vocal style of grunts to convey primal response.

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The central theme is an investigation of modern masculinity, specifically how “prejudices and learned behaviors” from youth manifest in adult conduct. By juxtaposing the protagonists’ past and present, the series aims to prompt viewers to consider the origins of toxic masculine traits and to recognize the potential for nuanced, empathetic portrayals of male relationships. The creators intend the show to avoid “kitchen-sink drama,” instead offering a physically engaging narrative that foregrounds emotional authenticity.

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Gadd explains that his experience on *Baby Reindeer* reinforced the belief that intensive personal investment yields higher-quality outcomes, a philosophy he applied to “Half Man.” Brodski describes her process of assembling a visual board to translate the script’s emotional tone into concrete set design, emphasizing collaboration with the production crew to capture Glasgow’s evolving identity. Both creators assert that the series’ pacing and visual language were deliberately crafted to support the thematic exploration of masculinity without sacrificing narrative momentum.

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• “Richard Gadd: I wouldn’t say it had any sort of creative impact on Half Man because they’re two very different projects that demand different pacing.” — Richard Gadd

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• “RG: With Half Man, I wanted to ultimately explore a sense of masculinity and what men can be like in modern society.” — Richard Gadd

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• “I actually just tried to soak in this undercurrent of pain that Ruben feels at all times in his life.” — Richard Gadd

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The series continues beyond episode four, further developing Ruben’s aggressive demeanor and the duo’s relational dynamics as they navigate contemporary Scottish society. Upcoming episodes are expected to deepen the examination of how the characters’ 1980s upbringing influences their present-day interactions and self-perception.

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