How Richard Gadd Cast the Young Stars of HBO's 'Half Man' Drama

HBO’s latest drama, ‘Half Man’, from the creator of the acclaimed ‘Baby Reindeer’, delves into a challenging narrative centered on two stepbrothers. While the story’s vulnerability and sincerity form its core, the series’ success hinges on the performances of its young leads, Stuart Campbell and Mitchell Robertson.

Richard Gadd, the creator, writer, and executive producer, shared his confidence in their casting with TheWrap. “I felt the same way as I did about [Jessica Gunning],” Gadd said, referencing the actor who played Martha in ‘Baby Reindeer’. “It had to be them. I didn’t doubt it for a second.”

The HBO drama, like much of Gadd’s work, tackles a difficult subject—the toxic, codependent relationship between two stepbrothers. Ruben (played by Gadd) is violent and aggressive with a charismatic edge, while Niall (portrayed by Jamie Bell) is intelligent but meek. The series alternates between their teenage years in 1980s Scotland and a wedding set 30 years later, gradually unraveling their fraught bond.

Campbell and Robertson embody these roles as young Ruben and young Niall, respectively. Gadd intentionally sought unknown actors for the parts. “I think it allows you to buy into the world a little bit more, especially in television,” he explained. “Film can have such an epic grandeur that adding celebrity to it adds to the scope and the whole experience of cinema. But with TV, the small screen can really benefit from a bit of unknownness.”

Gadd’s Trust in Campbell and Robertson

Gadd previously collaborated with Campbell on the British thriller ‘Clique’. “I always thought really highly of him,” Gadd said. Impressed by Campbell’s work, Gadd invited him to join ‘Half Man’. Robertson, on the other hand, was cast after submitting a self-tape.

“What they got most of all was the pain and the conflict in the characters,” Gadd noted. He emphasized the importance of portraying Ruben’s underlying pain rather than overt aggression. “I wanted to see the pain … Then, with Mitchell, he played the conflict,” Gadd added. Many actors auditioning for Niall adopted a meek, closed-off demeanor, but Gadd sought the internal strife driving the character.

“I just think they’re bloody great,” Gadd concluded.

Both Campbell and Robertson were eager to join the project based solely on the script, long before ‘Baby Reindeer’ achieved critical acclaim and awards recognition. Their first auditions took place in March 2024, a month before ‘Baby Reindeer’ premiered on Netflix.