"Baby Reindeer" Creator on New Series: "I Wanted to Dig into the Masculine Mess"

Following the global phenomenon of "Baby Reindeer," Richard Gadd returns with "Half Man," a new fictional drama for HBO Max that plunges into the dark depths of toxic masculinity, trauma, and fractured brotherhood. In an exclusive interview with Dagens Nyheter, the uncompromising Scottish creator reveals his intention to excavate the messy realities of male experience.

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I wanted to dig deep into the whole blessed masculine mess.

Gadd describes "Half Man" as a deep dive into the "blessed masculine mess." The series, set in Glasgow, focuses on two non-biological brothers, Ruben (played by Gadd) and Niall (Jamie Bell), whose lives are irrevocably intertwined by a shared history of violence, loyalty, abuse, shame, betrayal, and suppressed love. The narrative unfolds through flashbacks, tracing their troubled past and the events that shaped them into the damaged men they are in the present.

While "Baby Reindeer" was a raw, autobiographical account, "Half Man" ventures into fiction, yet retains Gadd's signature exploration of broken characters navigating a flawed world. He notes the common themes of struggle and failure but emphasizes the distinct tones of the two projects. "Baby Reindeer" was fast-paced with a narrative voice and ironic music, whereas "Half Man" adopts a slower, more restrained approach, devoid of irony.

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I realized it's an extremely complicated theme. I came to the end of the series without really knowing anything more concrete about masculinity, other than that I think it's just a breeding ground for deep, conflicting human emotions.

For Swedish audiences, Gadd's willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about masculinity and trauma resonates deeply. The series offers a stark, unflinching look at the internal struggles that often go unaddressed, prompting reflection on societal expectations and the profound impact of unresolved issues on individuals and relationships. Gadd's commitment to exploring these complex themes, even without providing easy answers, marks "Half Man" as a significant and thought-provoking addition to the television landscape.

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There are absolutely common themes - a broken world with broken characters trying their best but still failing.