Richard Gadd explores male identity in new HBO Max series 'Half Man'

Richard Gadd, creator of 'Baby Reindeer', presented his new HBO Max series 'Half Man' at the Italian Global Series Festival, shifting from autobiographical storytelling to a broader examination of masculinity and trauma. The series follows two men, Niall and Ruben, who respond differently to deep pain: Niall internalizes conflict while Ruben externalizes it through violence. Gadd emphasizes that violence in the series is not spectacle but a symptom of unprocessed trauma, aiming to provoke complex emotions in viewers without justifying harmful behavior. He uses symbols like a kilt to subvert traditional notions of epic virility. 'Half Man' earned Gadd an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series in 2026. The conversation with students focused on character construction, trauma, and cinema as a space to challenge consolidated images of masculinity.