EXCLUSIVE: Richard Gadd’s latest drama series has been a big talking point in Cannes this week, and now we’ve got news of its latest deals.
Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, has sold the BBC and HBO scripted series to Stan in Australia and Crave in Canada, as MIPCOM draws to a close in Cannes. The six-partner has already been sold to HBO Max in Latin America, and now continues its sales journey.
Produced by Banijay UK-owned Mam Tor Productions for the BBC, BBC Scotland and HBO, Half Man stars Baby Reindeer creator Gadd and 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, it explores the highs and lows of Ruben and Niall’s relationship, from meeting them as troubled teenagers to witnessing them fall out as adults in Glasgow, Scotland. Set to air in 2026, producers say it 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.”
The show is easily among the highest profile scripted shows on the international market right now following the runaway success of Netflix’s introspective drama Baby Reindeer in 2024. Gadd has been working on Half Man prior to Baby Reindeer‘s launch, but it’s unexpected hit status meant it was held back until now. We featured the show in our Hot Ones round up prior to MIPCOM.
Patrick Holland, Executive Chairman Banijay UK, added: “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. 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.
Also starring in the series alongside Gadd and Bell 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 has international sales rights, and has been shopping it on the Croisette along with the likes of Jack Thorne love story Falling 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 for Channel 4.
The series will debut in 2026.
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