Tension abounds in the trailer for Richard Gadd’s Half Man, which dropped Tuesday as buzz continues to build for the BBC–HBO drama launching April 23.

Click above to watch Gadd and co-star Jamie Bell face off in a story about brotherhood, friendship, loyalty, anger and violence down the decades.

Gadd is a man transformed from his semi-autobiographical (controversially so) Netflix smash Baby Reindeer, with biceps aplenty. He plays Ruben to Bell’s Niall. When Ruben turns up at Niall’s wedding, everything seems different. He is on edge. Shifty. Not acting like himself. And soon, an explosion of violence takes place that catapults the audience back through their lives, from the ’80s to the present day.

The anticipated show created by Gadd stars Mitchell Robertson (Curfew, Mayflies) and Stuart Campbell (SAS Rogue Heroes, The Winter King), who play Niall (Robertson) and Ruben (Campbell) in their younger years. Neve McIntosh (Tin Star, Chemistry of Death) is seen in her role as Niall’s mother Lori alongside Marianne McIvor (Screw, The Nest), who plays Ruben’s mother Maura.  

Half Man will drop April 23 on HBO and the following day on the BBC.

Half Man is created, written and executive produced by Gadd. Sophie Gardiner and Anna O’Malley are the executive producers, alongside Gaynor Holmes for the BBC and Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland. The series is directed by Alexandra Brodski and Eshref Reybrouck. EPs for Mam Tor Productions are Tally Garner and Morven Reid. Half Man is produced by Banijay-backed Mam Tor in association with Gadd’s Thistledown Pictures. Banijay Rights handles international distribution outside of BBC and HBO rights. Half Man is supported by Screen Scotland.