Baby Reindeer, a limited series based on Richard Gadd’s autobiographical one-man stage play, has taken Netflix by storm, landing itself on the top 10 list of most-viewed shows. The series follows the story of a struggling stand-up comedian named Donny Dunn who becomes the target of a stalker named Martha Scott. Over the course of four years, Martha sends Donny thousands of emails and voicemails, leading to a gripping and intense drama that has captivated viewers.
With a total runtime of 3 hours and 58 minutes, Baby Reindeer has garnered a staggering 85.5 million viewers on Netflix, placing it at number 10 on the streaming service’s list of most popular shows. Despite its success, Baby Reindeer still has a way to go to catch up to Wednesday Season 1, which holds the number one spot with 252.1 million viewers and nearly 1.719 billion viewing hours. Directed by Tim Burton and starring Jenna Ortega, Wednesday Season 1 has a total runtime of 6 hours and 49 minutes.
The success of Baby Reindeer has not come without controversy, as the “real Martha” was eventually located by internet sleuths. Fiona Harvey, the Scottish woman behind the character of Martha, revealed herself publicly in an interview with Piers Morgan in May. Harvey received death threats after being outed and has since filed a lawsuit against Gadd and Netflix, alleging defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence. She is seeking at least $170 million in damages for the portrayal of her character in the series.
Netflix’s top 10 list of most popular shows also includes hits like Stranger Things: Season 4, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Bridgerton: Season 1, and The Queen’s Gambit: Limited Series. The Night Agent: Season 1, Fool Me Once: Limited Series, Stranger Things: Season 3, and Bridgerton: Season 2 round out the list, showcasing a diverse array of popular series that have captivated audiences around the world.
Despite the success and controversy surrounding Baby Reindeer, the series has left a lasting impact on viewers and has solidified its place in Netflix history as one of the most-viewed shows of all time. With its compelling story and gripping performances, Baby Reindeer has resonated with audiences and continues to captivate viewers as they eagerly await updates on the ongoing saga of the real-life inspiration behind the character of Martha. Only time will tell how the legal battle between Fiona Harvey, Richard Gadd, and Netflix will unfold, but one thing is for certain—Baby Reindeer has made its mark on the streaming service and cemented its status as a must-watch series.
