“Baby Reindeer has gained considerable recognition since its release just over a week ago. This drama, an adaptation of Richard Gadd’s one-man show from the 2019 Edinburgh Festival, narrates the distress he experienced due to a stalker and a formidable predator. Even though it hasn’t topped Netflix viewership in the UK, it has made the top 10 list in 12 other nations.
Despite not being easy to watch due to its unnerving content, the show has gained quite the following, but this success comes with unforeseen implications. Recently, the focus has shifted from the drama itself and into reality. Beyond its protagonist, Baby Reindeer essentially concerns two individuals: an older woman who bombarded Gadd with numerous unsolicited messages, risking his mental health, and a renowned older writer who subjected Gadd to an extended period of sexual exploitation. Even though the show attempted to conceal the real identity of these individuals, some internet users have been attempting to unveil this.
Internet detectives in recent days have discovered online profiles alleged to be owned by Gadd’s real-life harasser, leading to wild conjecture regarding his abuser’s identity. This peaked on Monday, compelling Gadd to rein in the speculation on Instagram, emphasising that innocent people he cares for and appreciates were being unjustly dragged into guesswork.
Whilst it’s important to remember that Baby Reindeer is a complex drama, any show proclaiming to be based on real-life events will inherently attract digital sleuths. But if these investigations mean individuals are unjustly labelled as abusers online, this poses an issue. Baby Reindeer’s driving force stems from the fact that the narrative is grounded in reality – Gadd was indeed stalked and abused, which lends the drama its potent intensity. But knowing that the artist and main character is recounting his own traumas also signals that the series can’t be seen merely as a piece of art.”
The reviews for Take That in Dublin were exceptional, particularly noting the staircase that left Gary Barlow winded while the band captivatingly recreated their past. Simultaneously, Richard Gadd’s Baby Reindeer drew interest regarding its true-to-life account, with the prevailing sentiment being a hesitation to admit past mistakes.
As the spotlight began connecting the dots, parallels are drawn to the online conjectures seen for years, evoking reminiscences of “Fleabag’s” heightened interest. Phoebe Waller-Bridge regretted the inquiries her family faced due to the lack of anticipation and protection. The launch of Baby Reindeer fell into a similar context, with the lack of foresight by Netflix being highlighted.
A lot of this speculation could’ve been avoided effortlessly. It’s been suggested that Gadd put substantial effort into separating his real-life harasser from the fictional character in Baby Reindeer to avert unnecessary attention towards the former. Nevertheless, the drama contains enough of her life details and messaging that enthusiastic online detectives began their process of identification. Regardless of the actual abuser’s identity, the show has sparked conjecture, leading to undue harassment of several public figures. Would it not be safer to blur the details?
Interest in Baby Reindeer has increasingly become entwined with the impact it has created. While Gadd was initially admired for his courage in retelling the story of a terribly distressing time, it’s now difficult to disassociate the backlash it has generated.
The production is based on a stage show that candidly demonstrated the realness of Gadd’s struggles. However, the number of Netflix’s 269 million subscribers familiar with the original Edinburgh fringe shows from around five years ago would be relatively small. Dropping the “true story” disclaimer might have deterred most people from sniffing around.
The least enjoyable part of the internet is where women with mental health issues are exposed, or unfounded accusations are levelled at famous individuals as a form of amusement, an unfortunate reality that has come to pass. Baby Reindeer has secured its position as one of the most uneasy productions of the year – The Guardian
For those who may be impacted by any of the matters discussed in this report, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre offers a free 24-hour helpline: 1800 77 8888. Alternatively, the Samaritans can be reached on their toll-free number 116123, or via their email, [email protected]