Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, has announced international sales for major new BBC and HBO scripted series Half Man as MIPCOM 2025 draws to a close in Cannes this week.
In deals negotiated across the Banijay Rights global sales team, the six-part series has been acquired by Stan in Australia and Bell Media’s Crave in Canada, following previously announced sales to HBO Max in Latin America and across a major European footprint, in addition to the co-production with HBO Max in the US.
Produced by Mam Tor Productions (a Banijay UK company) for the BBC, BBC Scotland and HBO, Half Man stars Gadd and BAFTA award-winning actor 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, the series explores the highs and lows of Ruben and Niall’s relationship, from meeting them as troubled teenagers to witnessing their falling out as adults – with all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging moments along the way. Set to air in 2026, the series 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.”
Patrick Holland – Mam Tor Productions / Executive Chairman Banijay UK, said, “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. The series is created, written and executive produced by Gadd. 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.
Starring in the series 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 handles international distribution for Half Man outside of BBC and HBO rights. The series is supported by Screen Scotland.
Half Man is one of several scripted highlights on Banijay Entertainment’s slate for MIPCOM 2025, which includes love story Falling from writer Jack Thorne (Adolescence), 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 (a Banijay UK company) for Channel 4.
