Jamie Bell on Half Man, Peaky Blinders and the brutal reality of toxic masculinity

Jamie Bell has opened up about his starring role in Richard Gadd’s new BBC drama series Half Man, describing the production as a brutal exploration of toxic masculinity and codependency. Bell, who portrays the character Niall, revealed that he found filming explicit sex scenes easier than intense dialogue scenes. The series, which concludes on 29 May on BBC iPlayer, also features Gadd in the role of Ruben. Bell, who recently turned 40, is also currently filming the upcoming Peaky Blinders sequel series, where he will play Duke, the son of Tommy Shelby.

The six-part drama chronicles the combustible, codependent relationship between two men referred to as “brothers from another lover”. Niall is depicted as bookish, bullied and closeted, while Ruben is the swaggeringly violent ex-con son of Niall’s mother’s girlfriend. Bell noted that the role of Niall was written specifically for him, a fact he only realised after meeting Gadd in Los Angeles to discuss the project. He described Gadd’s material as a sensory experience that probes hidden experiences, admitting he was initially unaware the part was crafted around his own persona.

Bell revealed that he found filming explicit sex scenes involving chemsex in saunas and illicit encounters easier than emoting through gruelling dialogue. “Honestly, I was so grateful to be shooting that stuff and not fucking 16-page dialogue scenes, where you’re emoting and it’s so intense,” Bell said. “On days when my character had to have sex with random people, I’d think: ‘Thank God!’ Frankly, it came as a welcome reprieve.” He also noted that he persuaded Gadd to take on the role of Ruben, acknowledging the physical demands this placed on the creator.

The actor drew parallels between Niall’s self-loathing and his own struggles with perfectionism, admitting he cannot watch his own performances and often feels he has ruined a role. He also related to Niall’s attraction to an aggressive alpha male, citing his own upbringing in an all-female household and his background in ballet as influences that led him to attach himself to tough, troubled figures. Bell took his portrayal of Niall’s conversion therapy and sexual repression seriously, viewing it as the centre of the character’s issues and a reflection of broader societal pressures.

Concurrently, Bell is filming the upcoming Peaky Blinders sequel series, set in 1950s Birmingham, where he will play Duke, the son of crime kingpin Tommy Shelby. He expressed admiration for creator Steven Knight and the show’s legacy, noting that he is a longtime fan of Knight’s work. Bell, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, reflected on his career longevity since his breakthrough role as Billy Elliot, expressing gratitude for his continued work and his transition into a box set drama era with Half Man and Peaky Blinders.