Young actors talk about the homosexual dynamic between Niall and Ruben in ‘Half Man’

Spoiler alert: This post contains a story from the series premiere of “Half Man,” currently streaming on HBO Max.

“Half Man,” the second drama from “Baby Reindeer” creator Richard Gadd, tells the story of two disparate teenagers who are brought together by fate, and whose relationship affects the rest of their lives.

When the clumsy, insecure Niall (played by Mitchell Robertson, later played by Jamie Bell) and the volatile, angry Reuben (Stuart Campbell, later played by Gad) find themselves living under the same roof, they form a tragic and stifling lifelong bond. Throughout the series’ six episodes, their relationship waxes and wanes, but it continues to overshadow their fate until the finale’s shocking denouement.

Ahead of the first episode airing on HBO (scheduled to air on BBC iPlayer on April 24), Robertson and Campbell spoke to Variety about the fraternal and sometimes sexual nature of the boys’ friendship, their bedroom dancing, and the “shocking” sex scene that required two intimacy coordinators.

What do you think of Niall and Ruben’s relationship?

Mitchell Robertson: It’s a really complicated relationship. It’s really layered.

Stuart Campbell: Mitchell and I got along really well from the beginning. We didn’t know each other in our first chemistry reading. I felt very safe and comfortable (with him) and we quickly became very close friends. So, as a basic safety blanket, I felt safe with him, able to be vulnerable, challenge myself, and go where the relationship and the script needed me.

Did you know how their relationship would ultimately end when you were filming the scenes?

Robertson: I didn’t know how that turned out. We had no idea. Probably heard a small rumor about what happened. So I didn’t know when we were filming the episode. For me, that was better. to be honest. We preferred to focus solely on our version of events.

Mitchell, what do you think of Niall’s obsession with Ruben? Of course there is fear, but is there also an underlying sexual element? Or is it more of a brotherly thing?

Robertson: When Ruben first came back into Niall’s life, the first reason Niall wanted him to stay was obviously the physical protection he provided, and obviously he helped the bully situation. And on top of that, once they start connecting and having moments of connection, perhaps a real sense of friendship develops between them. In terms of a sexual undercurrent, it wasn’t something that was intentionally played out. It’s really interesting because some people asked me about it. I think there were definitely moments, especially in episode one, where I was a little in awe of Ruben, or fascinated by Ruben, couldn’t take my eyes off Ruben, looking at him with eyes full of intrigue or interest, and maybe some of that could be read as sexual overtones. But I never intended to play it that way. So it’s interesting that something like that happened.

The scene where Niall watches Ruben dance in his bedroom, was that choreographed?

Campbell: We definitely had a choreographer. But I thought a little improvisation was needed to make it human. Especially since it doesn’t have to be an incredibly perfect routine. There’s just a guy improvising in his bedroom. So I added some of my own moves. I think you need to get over the fear and crap that gets in the way of being yourself. Because I’m not a dancer and I’m not trained as such. But it doesn’t have to be that way. And just like letting go of the fear and letting go of the voice and just trying to enjoy it.

What did you think of the scene where Niall loses his virginity to Mona, played by Charlotte Blackwood, while Ruben is in the room?

Campbell: My reaction when I first read it[during the audition]was very shocked. Maybe that’s a good way to put it. And I also remember thinking, “This is going to be a really difficult challenge for everyone.” For me personally filming it was much scarier on the page than in real life — I don’t speak for all the actors in that scene, of course — but for me. And it’s a credit to our team, close team, director and DoP, that it was really meticulously shot.

And it’s a very important moment for Niall as well. For me, that scene emphasizes Niall’s lack of autonomy and his lack of autonomy over his own body. And it definitely feels like Ruben is getting a lot more attention from Niall than Mona in that scene, which is also interesting.

Why do you think Ruben involves himself like that?

Campbell: Protectionism and possessiveness are always intertwined in Ruben’s relationship with Nile. Both of these can be developed in the same sentence or in the same moment. And I feel like, as a background, obviously Ruben has kind of a positive quality of having had to survive on his own, and he brings that maverick energy when he’s reunited from the Juvenile Offenders Association. But the sense of duty, loyalty, family, and wanting to protect[Niall]not just that[he]has that protection, but also having a sense of purpose and connection to someone, which has a very positive impact on me, can quickly devolve into something more toxic and sinister, and I’m like, “I can’t just leave it there.” I was like, “I have to have some for myself.” That’s what will probably bring them together until the end of (episode) 6. I can never leave (him) alone.

I don’t think this is an exaggeration or an understatement, but this scene had to be handled with great care and the use of two intimacy coordinators on the day. It took several days of rehearsal before we went on set to understand what was needed, but I think we both felt very safe and comfortable on the day.

Do you remember how many takes it took to film?

Robertson: It took me a whole day to do it. I don’t know how many takes, but we did a lot of different setups.

Campbell: Charlotte’s accomplishments are incredible. It happened one day while she was at work. I think it’s amazing to come out there and do that. To come there and find it in one day. And obviously there’s a safe space outside of the set. Since it’s a set, it’s obviously easier to manage and maintain a safe environment than perhaps someone’s home on location.

This interview has been edited and condensed.