Fiona Harvey, asserting herself as the muse for Richard Gadd’s acclaimed television series, Baby Reindeer, has filed a lawsuit against Netflix demanding a minimum compensation of €170 million (equivalent to €156 million). At the Federal Court in California, Harvey indicted the streaming giant on grounds of defamation, deliberate infliction of emotional angst, negligence, gross negligence, and infringement of her public rights.
Her claim stems from her belief that she inspired the character of Martha Scott, a stalker focused on Gadd’s persona, Donny Dunn, subsequent to him serving her a complimentary cup of tea at his place of employment. Reportedly, the series draws from the authentic experiences of Gadd, a comedian and writer. Following the screening of the series, Gadd requested viewers to desist from conjectures regarding real-life individuals who provided inspiration for the series.
In her recently filed suit, Harvey accuses Netflix of dispersing “unforgiving falsehoods”, which include labeling her as a “recidivist stalker convicted on two counts and handed down a five-year imprisonment sentence”. The suit states, “These lies were propagated without cease since they were more sensational than reality, and more gripping stories yield profits.”
The lawsuit argues that “owing to the defendants’ untruths, misconduct and grossly reckless behavior, Harvey’s existence has been devastated.” Allegations made in the court documents against Netflix include the company’s failure to authenticate the truthfulness of the represented story, affirming that “Harvey has no criminal record and has never received a prison sentence”.
Netflix issued a statement in response saying “We are prepared to fiercely defend this case and uphold Richard Gadd’s entitlement to narrate his story.” The lawsuit is demanding actual and compensatory damages estimated at $50 million each, punitive damages of $20 million, and “the total profits” accumulated from Baby Reindeer, billed at $50 million. Contact has been made with a spokesperson for Gadd for a response. – PA