AceShowbiz - Stuart Campbell is eager to revisit his groundbreaking role in the intense new HBO series Half Man, which is set to premiere its episodes weekly starting Thursday. The show, created by Richard Gadd, is a raw and gripping exploration of male rage and repression, chronicling a complex relationship between two men over three decades.

The series has already drawn critical attention for its unflinching portrayal of dark emotions, with some reviewers calling it "the most twisted show you'll watch this year." In Half Man, Campbell embodies the younger version of Ruben, the core figure of the story, who represents a storm of conflicting feelings and violence.

Despite the character’s heavy and brutal nature, Campbell expresses gratitude and a strong desire to relive the entire experience. "There's so easily another world where somebody else gets to play this part and gets to do it justice and be amazing in it," he says. "So I'm just really grateful that it got to be me."

Richard Gadd, who stars as the older Ruben and also serves as the show’s creator, describes Half Man as a deep investigation into toxic masculinity. From the outset, Gadd had Campbell in mind for the younger Ruben, despite Campbell’s initial interest in auditioning for the gentler character Niall, portrayed by fellow Scot Mitchell Robertson and later by Jamie Bell in the older role.

Ruben is a character of stark contrast: tall, imposing, volatile, and capable of disturbing acts of violence that the series does not shy away from depicting. Campbell shares insight into accessing the intense anger Ruben embodies. "Everyone has an essential pain," he explains. "My first job was when I was 13. I've been exploring these conflicts since quite a young age - although I've usually been the victim rather than the perpetrator of the violence - so it did feel like different emotions to tap into. But that's the challenge and that's the reward."

In a candid conversation, Campbell delves into the making of the BBC and HBO collaboration, discussing the creative process behind Half Man and his close working relationship with Gadd and Robertson. He highlights the importance of chemistry between the two leads, saying the bond behind the scenes was crucial to capturing the authentic energy on screen.

Campbell recounts his audition journey, revealing that he initially pursued the role of Niall due to a sense of personal insecurity about tackling a character as intense as Ruben. However, the casting team encouraged him to try out for Ruben instead. After an initial callback and a period of waiting, Campbell received the call to join the cast in late 2024, with filming beginning in 2025.

The actor admits that stepping into the role of Ruben was both a risk and a reward. He prepared physically and mentally, even making changes to his appearance to better embody the character. "My instinct from the first reading was that I needed to be bigger and my body had to take up the space in the room," he says. "Just even reading the couple of scenes that we had for the auditions, I was like, 'He needs to fill up the space. I need to fill out the clothes.' "

Campbell also valued the creative freedom given by Gadd, who was actively involved throughout rehearsals and filming but encouraged spontaneity and honesty in the performances. This collaborative environment allowed Campbell to blend his own instincts with Gadd’s vision, creating a nuanced portrayal of Ruben’s contradictions.

One of the show's defining features is the dynamic between Ruben and Niall. Campbell describes the off-screen friendship that developed between himself and Robertson, which translated into the compelling on-screen relationship. "We instantly clicked during the readings through shared interests, shared hobbies," he notes. "Every scene feels like a short film or a short movie, so we had each other at all costs."

He also emphasizes the importance of mutual support on set. "If I'm off camera, I do everything I can to make sure that I give him everything he needs for his short, you know? Just having each other's back, we naturally build up a relationship. And now he is one of my closest friends."

When asked to sum up Half Man and his character, Campbell describes the show as multifaceted and complex. Ruben himself is a "walking, talking contradiction and juxtaposition," embodying the tensions and conflicts at the heart of the narrative. This complexity makes the role both challenging and rewarding for Campbell, who looks forward to audiences experiencing the show’s raw emotional depth.