Baby Reindeer's Richard Gadd is broody, brawling, and bulked up in a new look at his upcoming drama Half Man.
Released by BBC and HBO, a fresh batch of images see Gadd, who created the show, sporting a severe haircut, tattoos, and a more muscular build than in his previous Netflix hit as he channels fiercely loyal Ruben. Elsewhere, Jamie Bell brings meek, mild-mannered Niall to life, Ruben's "brother", who gets quite the shock when the former turns up to his wedding having not seen him for over 30 years.
As showcased by the other snaps, in which Mitchell Robertson and Stuart Campbell play much younger versions of the characters, the lads used to be inseparable in the late '80s. But when Ruben started exhibiting brutish behavior, the twosome drifted apart. As they reunite in present-day Glasgow, an explosion of violence takes place that catapults us back through their once-intertwined lives.
"I felt it was interesting to explore dysfunctional manhood, where it comes from, and how it kind of evolves over time," Gadd recently explained to GQ. "Why male camaraderie is so intoxicating for people, and why male bonds are so strong, but also why the repercussions of negative male behavior from that can be also extreme."
"I wasn't so much interested in just showing a violent man doing violent things all the time," he continued. "I was interested in contextualizing that, and digging into why men have that bond. People will say, you know, the show is about masculinity. But I sometimes think it's about two men who struggle to love each other, and don't really know how to do that."
Half Man premieres sometime in April on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, or HBO Max if you're in the US. While we wait, check out our guide to the most exciting new TV shows heading our way.
