Half Man Production Designer Emer O’Sullivan Steered Clear of Clichés

      When production designer Emer O’Sullivan received the scripts for Half Man, Richard Gadd’s sequel to the Emmy-winning Baby Reindeer, she recognized the need to craft a world steeped in realism that steered clear of poverty exploitation.

      This meant establishing the series in an authentic reality characterized by soft pastels and a sense of comfort, contrasting with the trope-heavy grays and bare aesthetics often linked to British working-class narratives. By introducing unexpected layers and a gentle touch, O’Sullivan created an environment that mirrored the characters' lives as they navigated challenging situations.

      "We were aware of our social obligation to avoid the typical style of British filmmaking, which can often appear rather harsh," she remarks.

      HBO’s Half Man follows a character named Niall (Jamie Bell) at various points in his life, starting in a small, constrained environment that gradually broadens, especially as he forms a brotherly bond with Ruben (Gadd). Ultimately, the two become estranged until Ruben appears at Niall’s wedding three decades later.

      Emer O’Sullivan on the Aesthetic Evolution of Half Man

      Production designer Emer O’Sullivan for Half Man. HBO

      As the characters mature, the show's production design evolves. O’Sullivan reflects the disruption from Ruben’s entrance by introducing new patterns, clashing materials, and 1970s-inspired components. As the narrative progresses, the color palette darkens.

      "We embraced a lot of Scotland and Glasgow brutalist architecture," she shares. "We discovered an excellent school location nestled in the hills, which allowed for colorful elements, yet maintained a gritty housing vibe."

      O’Sullivan and her team focused on texture to create a sense that viewers could virtually feel the environments. They incorporated more rigid plastics, glossy vinyl, and glass, while still grounding the design in a brutalist style.

      O’Sullivan acknowledges that this approach was challenging, particularly since the chosen locations led to unexpected delays and pressures. The team aimed for a cinder-block finish that required intricate plasterwork, which took time, and many spaces had to accommodate large scenes like fighting and drinking. Numerous buildings they wanted proved unsafe for filming. At one point, the production had to be reorganized due to a location not coming together as planned.

      Ultimately, O’Sullivan hopes the added visual elements will draw viewers deeper into the narrative.

      "We aimed to enhance that sense of foreboding," she elaborates. "Even when Ruben is at a community center meant to feel nice and wholesome, it still carries a gritty undertone."

      The wedding scenes, hinted at in the show’s trailer and summaries, posed a fresh set of difficulties.

      Half Man transitions in color and design as the plot progresses. HBO

      "We utilized four separate locations to create a single wedding venue," O’Sullivan explains. Finding the perfect barn was time-consuming, and fans hoping to host their weddings there might be disappointed.

      O’Sullivan desired a "homespun" aesthetic, but sourcing genuine references proved difficult in an Instagram-dominated era where everything seems curated for online sharing.

      "Pinpointing what a wedding looked like, who did the decorating, and what could be considered homespun was quite a challenge," she states. "One of our nephews had a truly homespun wedding at a local community hall where everyone contributed a dish. It was very low-fi, and that inspired us greatly."

      Rather than achieving perfect matches, she connected the spaces through small details like flowers, table settings, and the textures inherent to the buildings.

      "It was quite expensive for the production to travel to all these far-flung locations, but in the end, we were thrilled with everything," she adds.

      Half Man is currently streaming on HBO Max. You can read more of our Emmy contender interviews here.