Richard Gadd, the mastermind behind Netflix's cultural phenomenon Baby Reindeer, has done it again. His latest project, the six-part HBO Max thriller Half Man, is quietly but decisively climbing the streaming charts in May 2026. After Baby Reindeer shattered records with nearly 90 million views in its first 90 days on Netflix, all eyes were on Gadd's next move. He chose HBO Max, and that bet is paying off handsomely.
Half Man follows two half-brothers, Niall (Jamie Bell) and Ruben (Gadd), whose lives are upended by a violent explosion in the present day, sending the narrative spiraling back through the most pivotal moments of their shared history. It's a tense, emotionally charged crime thriller that critics are calling "masterfully tense," with Collider's Therese Lacson noting that Gadd's signature themes—obsession, guilt, addiction, and the search for peace amid chaos—are on full display.
As of this writing, Half Man is the fourth most-watched show on HBO Max worldwide, landing in the top ten across countries from Brazil and Italy to Switzerland and the United States. It trails only the Emmy-winning medical drama The Pitt, the comedy Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, and the controversial third season of Euphoria. That's elite company for a series that arrived with less fanfare than its predecessor.
While Baby Reindeer earned a near-perfect 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, Half Man holds a solid 76% from critics—a respectable score that reflects a different, perhaps more challenging tone. But Gadd's storytelling remains as gripping as ever, and the show's global traction proves that audiences are hungry for more of his unique voice.
This success also aligns with HBO Max's strategic push into the UK and Ireland, where Half Man was produced. The streamer's acquisition of the series looks increasingly savvy as it continues to build a library of high-quality international content. For fans of Richard Gadd's HBO move, the payoff is clear.
If you haven't yet dived into Half Man, now is the time. It's a slow-burn thriller that rewards patience and delivers the kind of emotional gut-punch Gadd has become known for. And with its quiet dominance on streaming, it's clear that this series is more than just a follow-up—it's a statement.
Meanwhile, other shows are making waves too. Rebecca Ferguson's sci-fi epic Silo quietly exits Apple TV+ charts ahead of its May 2026 return, proving that even hits have their off weeks. But for now, Half Man is the talk of the streaming world—and it's only getting started.
