A lawsuit has been filed against Netflix by Fiona Harvey, who claims she was the inspiration behind a stalker character in the series Baby Reindeer. However, in a twist of events, the creator of the show, Richard Gadd, countered these claims by stating in legal documents submitted on Monday that he was, in fact, stalked by Harvey in real life. Nonetheless, Gadd emphasised that his show is a fictional adaptation rather than an exact portrayal of the events.
In his sworn statement presented in a federal court in Los Angeles, Gadd revealed the ways in which he was harassed by Harvey, which mirrors the stalking tactics used by the character Martha in Baby Reindeer. The alleged actions by Harvey include excessive visits to the pub where he was employed, receiving countless emails and voicemails, and receiving explicit or threatening hand-written letters. Despite the real-life similarities, Gadd defended his series as a piece of dramatic art rather than a factual recounting of the stalking he experienced. It’s a story derived from real-life but reshaped and fictionalised for the small screen, he affirmed.
Netflix moved to dismiss the defamation claim filed by Harvey following Gadd’s statement. Harvey’s legal action was based on her argument that she was the model for the character Martha, and she was defamed as the character is shown as a criminal stalker who commits sexual assault against Gadd’s character. Harvey, however, states in her lawsuit that she has no criminal history and has never sexually assaulted Gadd.
Harvey’s lawsuit has notably taken issue with a statement appearing at the start of each Baby Reindeer episode proclaiming “This is a true story.” She argues that this is “the most egregious lie in television history,” referencing the credits which acknowledge that elements of the program have been fictionalised for the purpose of drama.
In response to these developments, Harvey’s attorney, Richard A Roth, criticized Netflix’s legal action, stating that it “ties itself in knots.”
Responding to allegations in a statement to the New York Times, both Netflix and Richard Gadd firmly declare that “Baby Reindeer” is not a depiction of true events, thus negating claims by Ms. Harvey. They maintain that the character ‘Martha’ is not synonymous with Fiona Harvey, an assertion made under oath. However, they continue to highlight further charges against Ms. Harvey, claims they argue are not pertinent to their legal dispute or the ‘real-life story’ of “Baby Reindeer.”
Gadd’s court papers reveal his growing anxiety towards Harvey and the sleep-depriving stress of the ordeal. He recounts instances where he alleges Harvey threatened him, also citing hostile emails he says were sent by Harvey, some comprising of racist and homophobic content.
While the 21-page affidavit does not insinuate that Harvey has a stalking conviction, Gadd narrates his psychological distress was great enough to prompt police interaction. Furthermore, the court papers do not suggest any direct sexual assault from Harvey like the fictional character Martha’s assault on Donny in the series. However, Gadd recounts a time of severe discomfort when he claims Harvey frequently tried to touch him in unsuitable ways, including pinching and touching various areas, notably his posterior.
Gadd makes it clear in his law papers that the series is an interpretation of his emotional journey through multiple distressing experiences. The series is not designed to depict accurate details of actual incidents or real-life individuals, including Fiona Harvey. He emphasises that Harvey’s name is never specifically mentioned in the series.
Before lodging her legal case, Harvey chose to disclose her objections about Baby Reindeer in an extensive interview with Piers Morgan, a well-known TV figure, on YouTube. Netflix countered in its official legal responses that Baby Reindeer reflects a nuanced study of sexual identity, abuse, stalking, and harassment. It pointed out that it was Harvey who voluntarily stepped into the limelight, claiming to be the influence behind the character named Martha, and labelled Harvey’s allegations as a groundless attempt to impede Netflix’s freedom of speech. The company’s legal documents request the court to reject Harvey’s entire complaint. Jessica Gunning, the actress who plays Martha in the series, chose not to comment on the pending lawsuit in a recent dialogue with the New York Times. However, while recognising that much of Gadd’s content is based on actual experiences, she insisted, “I’m embodying Martha, and not trying to represent anyone else.” This piece was first featured in the New York Times. It is credited to The New York Times Company, 2024.