Half Man filming locations: Is Glasgow West University real and the 'amazing' city where it was filmed
The show's filming location is a 'secondary character'
Half Man, the BBC’s emotional new show from Baby Reindeer’s Richard Gadd, is set entirely in the UK – and filmed in one country in particular.
The series (already in the running to be one of the best BBC dramas) follows two brothers: the hot-tempered, reckless Ruben (Gadd) and the quieter, struggling Niall (Jamie Bell). Although, to be clear, they’re not related by blood: they’re “brothers from another lover”.
Over the course of three decades, we see the peaks and troughs of their complicated relationship.
Gadd’s Scottish roots should be a clue about where Half Man is set. Thankfully, we know a few of its specific filming locations, too.
Where does Half Man take place?
Half Man takes place in Scotland. More specifically, in and around Glasgow, the country’s most populous city.
While Glasgow is often used as a stand-in for American cities, this isn’t one of those times. Half Man is a true Scottish production, and anyone who’s ever visited Glasgow may recognise some of the architecture and landmarks throughout the series.
For example, there are red sandstone tenement buildings that unmistakably belong to Glasgow’s West End.
In another scene (that’s admittedly brief), you get a peek at the Albert Bridge, which crosses over to Glasgow Green. We also get to see the Glasgow High Court.
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The production also expanded into Greater Glasgow and Inverclyde, with scenes filmed in a Cumbernauld housing estate and Gibshill in Greenock.
Why Glasgow is so important to Half Man’s story
Not only did Richard Gadd go to university in Glasgow, but its cultural evolution “almost marries the change you want to see in the characters,” he told the BBC.
Gadd studied English literature and theatre studies at the University of Glasgow, graduating in 2011. He began performing stand-up comedy as a student, which paved the way for his career.
“I think it’s an amazing cultural city with a huge personality. It’s the biggest city in Scotland and Glasgow has also undertaken a huge shift of its own over the decades to become one of the UK’s most formidable cultural hubs,” Gadd said.
The star also spoke about growing up in Wormit, a small village in Fife. “The town had one shop – a corner shop – and it was an incredibly small one. I wouldn’t change it for the world now. But I felt like I needed to get out and escape when I was younger,” he explained.
“That feeling is reflected in some of the earlier episodes where we see Niall and Ruben growing up in a smaller town outside the city. I think that adds a teenage hotbed of emotion and intensity to what the characters go through.
“I’ve loved working with an amazing cast and crew here and it has been such a brilliant backdrop for the show.”
As for Jamie Bell, who’s “always loved Scotland”, he believes people will see that the west of Scotland is a “secondary character within Half Man”.
Is Glasgow West University real?
No, Glasgow West University isn’t a real university.
There are three universities in Glasgow: the University of Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde, and Glasgow Caledonian University.
There has never been a Glasgow West University. Its closest comparison is the University of the West of Scotland, which has campuses in Paisley, Lanarkshire, Ayr, and Dumfries, as well as London.
So, not only is GWU completely fictional, but its scenes weren’t even filmed in a real university. Instead, the production crew leaned on one of Glasgow’s most dependable, transformable spots: Cadogan Square. It was recently used for The Running Man remake.
This appears to be where the exteriors of the GWU union were filmed, too. Though, while unconfirmed, its interiors looked much like SWG3, a famous music venue in the city.
Where is Niall’s wedding filmed?
Half Man’s present-day storyline revolves around Niall’s wedding. It may not be at the top of your mind (given how uncomfortable many of the show’s scenes are), but you could be curious about whether or not it’s a real venue, or a set conjured by the production team.
Well, it’s an actual place! Scenes during the ceremony appear to have been filmed at Glencorse House, located in Milton Bridge, Penicuik, not far outside of Edinburgh.
As its website says, it’s the “most romantic setting imaginable for a wedding ceremony”.
The Glencorse Old Kirk dates as far back as the 17th century, with Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson once writing that if his spirit could return to Earth, it’d be sitting on the old bridge at Glencorse Kirk, “the finest spot on Earth”.
Half Man filming locations you can visit
Half Man may have used some trickery for GWU. However, it was also filmed in several real locations that you can easily visit.
For example, Niall and Ruben meet for a cup of tea in the Coronation Restaurant in Glasgow’s Gallowgate, a true institution as you head towards the Barrowlands.
There are also scenes set at Moncreiff Parish Church in East Kilbride, which is incredibly striking both inside and outside.
We’ll find out more information about Half Man’s filming locations as the show airs on the BBC. So, keep your eyes peeled for more!
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