Richard Gadd Discusses New Series Half Man Amid Ongoing Defamation Lawsuit

Richard Gadd, the 36-year-old Scottish creator and star of the Netflix series Baby Reindeer, has released a new six-part series called Half Man on BBC and HBO. The series, set in Glasgow, addresses themes of male rage and repression. It premiered on April 23, 2026.

Gadd described the production of Half Man as needing to explore extreme places. Critics have referred to the series as brutal, monstrous, and uncomfortably erotic. Gadd cited an expression that art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.

Reindeer, released on Netflix in April 2024, became a widely viewed series, achieving over 52 million viewing hours in its first week. The show, based on Gadd's experiences, depicts a comedian stalked by a woman who sends over 40,000 emails. It received praise from figures including Stephen King and John Cena.

The series won multiple Emmy awards in September 2024, including best limited series, best writing, and best actor for Gadd, as well as best supporting actress for Jessica Gunning. Gadd recalled attending the Emmys and meeting Steve Martin.

prompted a $170 million defamation lawsuit, which Gadd stated he stands by. He described the period following the show's release as one of hysteria, with significant media attention and attempts to hack his social media and emails. Gadd noted an adjustment to people recognizing him in public.

In an interview, Gadd expressed nervousness about the reception of Half Man. He discussed his influences, including the U.K. Gadd highlighted the character's tragic elements and desire for love.

His 2016 show Monkey See Monkey Do addressed his experience of sexual abuse. This led to his shift toward drama, culminating in Baby Reindeer in 2019. Gadd stated that moving from comedy to drama allowed for pure storytelling without relying on audience laughter. He continues to draw from personal experiences in his work.