Netflix is facing a multimillion-dollar claim for damages from Fiona Harvey, a Scottish woman who alleges she was defamed by the popular show “Baby Reindeer.” Harvey is seeking $170 million for mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of business. The show, which has gained international popularity, tells the story of comedian Richard Gadd being stalked by a woman who bombards him with emails and voice messages. Online sleuths quickly identified Harvey as the inspiration for the character known as the “real Martha Scott.”
Harvey’s complaint names Netflix, Netflix Worldwide Entertainment, and Gadd as defendants, accusing them of telling the “biggest lie in television history” by claiming the story is true. The document alleges that Netflix and Gadd lied for greed and to destroy Harvey’s life. Netflix has stated that they will vigorously defend against the claim and support Gadd’s right to tell his story. Gadd first shared his experience with an alleged stalker at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019, before Netflix turned it into a miniseries in 2021.
In response to the success of “Baby Reindeer,” Gadd and Jessica Gunning, who plays Scott, appeared on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” to discuss the show’s popularity. Gadd described the unexpected global success of the show, which he believed would have a more limited appeal due to its unique and idiosyncratic nature. Despite the emotional truth of the story, Gadd emphasized that it was meant to exist in the sphere of art and protect the individuals it was based on. However, viewers continued to try and identify the real-life identities of the characters in the show, disregarding Gadd’s requests to stop.
Harvey’s complaint alleges that Netflix made no effort to fact-check the information presented in the show, including the claim that Gadd’s alleged stalker was sentenced to five years in prison for stalking. Additionally, Gunning’s character is depicted as sexually assaulting Gadd in the show. Following the airing of the show, Harvey received messages, including death threats, identifying her as Gadd’s alleged stalker. As a result, Harvey experienced anxiety, nightmares, panic attacks, shame, and other physical and mental symptoms caused by the lies told about her. The document emphasizes the impact the show had on Harvey’s mental health and well-being.
The legal battle between Harvey and Netflix is ongoing, with Harvey seeking significant damages for the harm she has experienced due to the portrayal of her in “Baby Reindeer.” The case raises questions about the responsibility of media companies to ensure the accuracy of their content and the potential consequences of depicting real individuals in fictionalized stories. Gadd has not publicly commented on the court action, but has previously expressed his intention to share his story in a way that protects the individuals involved. Despite the controversy surrounding the show, “Baby Reindeer” continues to attract attention and speculation about its characters and real-life inspirations.
