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Richard Gadd’s Half Man Opens Strong With Polarized Reviews

Early reaction shows high interest with sharply split reviews.

Overview

  • The six-part drama, which premiered Friday, April 24 on BBC iPlayer after a Thursday HBO launch, has entered Top 10 charts on both platforms and holds a 74% Rotten Tomatoes score.
  • Early reviews are starkly divided, with praise from outlets such as the Guardian and the Times, and a zero-star Daily Mail review that condemned the series.
  • BBC previews carried a trigger warning that flagged very strong and discriminatory language, scenes of violence and underage teen sexual abuse.
  • New episodes arrive weekly through May 29, with HBO airing Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET and BBC iPlayer adding episodes on Fridays.
  • Coverage repeatedly links the series to Gadd’s 2024 Netflix hit Baby Reindeer and the subsequent $170 million lawsuit after online users identified a real-life inspiration.