Half Man's Star Julie Cullen: Convincing Niall to Tell the Truth and Facing Ruben's Mother

Variety

Article image
"Baby Reindeer" producer Richard Gadd's new series "Half Man" features spoilers from its third episode, where Julie Cullen shares her set experiences and character development. The show has divided audiences and critics with its harsh portrayal of misogyny, violence, and toxic masculinity. Following the story of two young girls, Niall and Ruben, the series is available on HBO Max.

Julie Cullen noted that the process of convincing Niall to reveal the truth was quite challenging. The emotional conflicts her character faces and the dynamic between her and Niall play a central role throughout the series. Cullen explained that she delved deeply into her character's motivations and inner turmoil while portraying these scenes.

The infamous dinner scene with Ruben's mother has become one of Cullen's most memorable moments. The actress admits that she was genuinely scared during this scene and didn't act as much. The tension of the scene and the complex nature of the relationship with Ruben's mother represent a significant turning point for the series.

Cullen's performance contributes to the broader conversation about the complexity and multidimensionality of the female characters in "Half Man". While toxic masculinity dynamics are at the forefront throughout the series, the positions and resilience of the female characters in these environments become equally important.

Richard Gadd's direction continues to tackle dark and disturbing themes, much like in "Baby Reindeer". With "Half Man", Gadd dramatizes the realistic and sometimes violent issues faced by young people, while the performances delivered by the actors in these challenging roles continue to deeply impact viewers.