Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.
Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: Half Man

  1. Richard Gadd’s Half Man sent worldwide by Banijay Rights

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    Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, today announces international sales for major new BBC and HBO scripted series Half Man as MIPCOM 2025 draws to a close in Cannes this week.

    In deals negotiated across the Banijay Rights global sales team, the six-part series has been acquired by Stan in Australia and Bell Media’s Crave in Canada, following previously announced sales to HBO Max in Latin America and across a major European footprint, in addition to the co-production with HBO Max in the US.

    Produced by Mam Tor Productions (a Banijay UK company) for the BBC, BBC Scotland and HBO, Half Man stars Gadd and BAFTA award-winning actor Jamie Bell (All of Us Strangers, Rocket Man) as ‘brothers’ Ruben and Niall respectively. Spanning almost 40 years from the 1980s to the present day, the series explores the highs and lows of Ruben and Niall’s relationship, from meeting them as troubled teenagers to witnessing their falling out as adults – with all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging moments along the way. Set to air in 2026, the series will capture the wild energy of a changing city – a changing world, even – and plumb the depths of what it means to be a man.

    Cathy Payne, CEO, Banijay Rights, said: “Half Man is a bold and powerful new drama that exemplifies the very best storytelling and creative talent on our MIPCOM slate. These latest deals represent the incredible early demand for Richard Gadd’s highly anticipated series and we’re excited to extend its reach across new international markets.”

     

    Patrick Holland – Mam Tor Productions / Executive Chairman Banijay UK, said: “We are thrilled by the international excitement around Richard Gadd’s new series from Mam Tor Productions.  He is an exceptional talent and Cathy Payne and her team at Banijay Rights have been phenomenal partners. We can’t wait to unleash Niall and Ruben on the world!”

    Half Man was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, and was produced in partnership with HBO. The series is created, written and executive produced by Gadd. Executive producers are Sophie Gardiner and Anna O’Malley and the series is directed by Alexandra Brodski (Somewhere Boy, Rivals) and Eshref Reybrouck (Ferry: The Series, Cheyenne & Lola). Executive producers for Mam Tor Productions are Tally Garner and Morven Reid, Gaynor Holmes for the BBC and Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland.

    Starring in the series are Neve McIntosh (Tin Star, Chemistry of Death) as Niall’s mother Lori and Marianne McIvor (Screw, The Nest) as Ruben’s mother Maura, with Mitchell Robertson (Curfew, Mayflies) and Stuart Campbell (SAS Rogue Heroes, The Winter King) playing Niall (Robertson) and Ruben (Campbell) in their younger years. Rounding out the cast for Half Man are Charlie De Melo (Rivals), Bilal Hasna (The Agency), Julie Cullen (Traces), Amy Manson (The Nevers), Anjli Mohindra (The Lazarus Project), Tim Downie (Outlander), Tom Andrews (Feel Good), Philippine Velge (The Serpent Queen), Stuart McQuarrie (The Rig), Piers Ewart (The Primrose Railway Children), Scot Greenan (T2 Trainspotting), and newcomers Charlotte Blackwood and Calum Manchip.

    Banijay Rights handles international distribution for Half Man outside of BBC and HBO rights. The series is supported by Screen Scotland.

    Half Man is one of several scripted highlights on Banijay Entertainment’s slate for MIPCOM 2025, which includes love story Falling from writer Jack Thorne (Adolescence), and the re-imagining of iconic TV series, A Woman of Substance, based on Barbara Taylor Bradford’s best-selling novel. Both series are produced by The Forge Entertainment (a Banijay UK company) for Channel 4. Banijay Entertainment is exhibiting at C.20 at MIPCOM.

  2. Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell to star in new BBC and HBO drama Half Man

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    The BBC and HBO have announced casting for Half Man, an original six-episode drama series from Emmy award-winning creator and executive producer Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer, Against The Law). Gadd will star in the series alongside BAFTA award-winning actor Jamie Bell (All of Us Strangers, Rocket Man). The series is created by Mam Tor Productions (a Banijay UK company) for the BBC and BBC Scotland in a co-production with HBO, which will air the series in the US. Half Man will commence filming in 2025 in Scotland.

    Half Man follows estranged ‘brothers’ Niall (Jamie Bell) and Ruben (Richard Gadd). When Ruben shows up unexpectedly at Niall’s wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives. Spanning almost 40 years from the 1980s to the present day, this ambitious series will cover the highs and lows of the brothers’ relationship, from them meeting as teenagers to their falling out as adults – with all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging moments along the way. Half Man will capture the wild energy of a changing city – a changing world, even – and try to get to the bottom of the difficult question… What does it mean to be a man?

    Richard Gadd, creator, writer and executive producer, says:

    “I am delighted to confirm I will be playing Ruben in the newly crowned Half Man for the BBC / HBO alongside the incomparable Jamie Bell. When I wrote the show, I did it with him in mind, never thinking for a second we would manage to land him. So I could not be happier for everything that has come to pass in getting him on board. He is one of the greatest actors of his generation and I am so looking forward to seeing what he does with the role. Thanks to all the staff at the BBC, HBO, and Mam Tor Productions for making it all happen. I cannot wait to work with you all in the months ahead.”

    Jamie Bell says:

    “I’m so excited to join this incredible creative team. Richard has once again crafted something poignant and singular. I’m honored to have been asked to bring this to life with him.”

    Tally Garner & Morven Reid from Mam Tor Productions, says:

    “We are thrilled that the extraordinary talent that is Richard Gadd has agreed to play Ruben in Half Man, and are overjoyed to have found the perfect Niall in the exquisite Jamie Bell. We cannot wait to see these incredible actors spar, as they bring these complex, charismatic and mercurial men to life.”

    Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says:

    “It’s been such a privilege to see Half Man take shape, and to know that cameras will be rolling soon. In Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell we have the perfect Ruben and Niall – two characters like no other, whose epic journey through the decades we can’t wait to have on the BBC.”

    Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning at BBC Scotland, says:

    “Half Man is a brilliant example of BBC Scotland’s ambition to bring high quality drama, rooted in Scotland, to audiences in Scotland, the UK and the world.  We’re delighted to be announcing this exciting casting news today and look forward to seeing Richard and Jamie bring these complex and powerful characters to life.”

    Kara Buckley, Senior Vice President HBO Drama Programming, says:

    “Like so many others, we were wowed by Richard Gadd’s acting prowess in ‘Baby Reindeer’, and have long admired Jamie Bell. We simply can’t think of a better duo to bring this powerful story to life.”

    Half Man (6×45) was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. The series is created, written and executive produced by Richard Gadd alongside executive producers Tally Garner and Morven Reid from Mam Tor Productions, Gaynor Holmes for the BBC and Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland. The producer is Wendy Griffin (Limbo, The Lost King) with Alexandra Brodski (Somewhere Boy, Rivals) and Eshref Reybrouck (Ferry: The Series, Cheyenne & Lola) attached to direct.

    The series is made by Mam Tor Productions for the BBC, BBC Scotland and HBO. Banijay Rights handles international distribution outside the UK & Ireland and US. Half Man is supported by Screen Scotland. The series will air in 2026 on BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland in the UK, and on HBO in the US.