Is Half Man based on a true story? Richard Gadd’s Baby Reindeer follow-up explained

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Richard Gadd’s new show, Half Man, is now streaming on HBO. However, the story behind it is quite different from his earlier series, Baby Reindeer.

I was totally hooked by Baby Reindeer on Netflix! It came out in April 2024, and honestly, everyone started talking about it right away. What’s really cool is that it’s written by and stars Richard Gadd, who’s a comedian turned actor – it feels really personal and raw because of that.

The show quickly became a huge hit on the streaming platform, and it went on to win numerous prestigious awards, including Emmys, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs.

Netflix’s ‘Baby Reindeer’—a story dealing with obsession, sexual assault, and the lasting effects of trauma—started by claiming to be based on a true story, which sparked debate after its release. Now, with Gadd’s new show ‘Half Man,’ we’re looking at what parts of ‘Baby Reindeer’ were fact and what was fiction.

Half Man is not based on a true story

Half Man tells the story of Niall and Ruben, two half-brothers who meet as children and struggle with their relationship throughout their lives.

The story begins and is framed around Niall’s wedding, where Ruben unexpectedly appears. However, most of the narrative unfolds through flashbacks, revealing how Niall and Ruben’s lives became deeply connected.

Although Baby Reindeer drew directly from Richard Gadd’s real-life stalking experience, his new show, Half Man, isn’t based on a specific event. Instead, it’s more generally inspired by things he’s gone through.

Gadd recently explained to LadBible that the world he created is entirely made up. He emphasized that none of the characters are based on real people.

He explains that his work comes from personal experiences and things he wants to understand better. He says you can see a consistent theme in his projects, like Baby Reindeer and this new one, of looking at inner struggles, identity, and fighting your own battles. Essentially, he draws on experiences and themes he hasn’t fully explored yet, and Half Man is a continuation of that process.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Gadd explained that his new work, like ‘Baby Reindeer,’ focuses on flawed characters and the complex nature of people – their capacity for both happiness and despair, and the extremes they’re capable of.

After watching ‘Baby Reindeer,’ I was really struck by how deeply human it was, and that’s what I aimed for with ‘Half Man’ too. Basically, when I tell a story, I always want to focus on the people involved and their experiences first and foremost.

Stuart Campbell, who plays young Ruben, noted that while the show shares some common themes with other works, it also has many unique aspects.

Richard believes art finds you, not the other way around. He focuses on portraying genuine people and sharing honest stories, regardless of whether he’s writing fiction or not.

You can stream Half Man on HBO in the United States and BBC in the United Kingdom. Check out our list of the greatest TV shows ever made here.

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2026-04-24 11:49