Netflix faces defeat in ‘Baby Reindeer’ defamation suit

Baby Reindeer is a black comedy-drama series that premiered on Netflix on April 11, 2024. The series was created by comedian and writer Richard Gadd, who also stars as the lead character, Donny Dunn.

The show follows Donny, an aspiring comedian who wants to make it big in the industry, and currently performs at local clubs. He works as a bartender in a pub, and a customer Martha gets obsessively infatuated with him, stocking him online and in person and sending him frightening emails.

Baby Reindeer became one of the most popular Netflix series and won multiple accolades including six Primetime Emmy Awards. Netflix advertised the series as a true story. However, Fiona Harvey, the real Martha, who was found by online fans, accused the series of exaggerating and went to court for defamation.

The judge ruled that Fiona could sue the company as Netflix failed to provide enough evidence to prove that the things shown in the series happened in real life.

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The Judge allows the real Martha to sue Netflix

Fiona Harvey accused Netflix of exaggerating her alleged stalking of Richard Gadd and filed a defamation case against the streaming giant. She accused the show of falsely implying she sexually assaulted Gadd and gouged his eyes. The show also claimed that she had been sent to prison, which she challenged.

Netflix had filed a motion to throw out the suit in July, on which Judge Gary Klausner ruled that Harvey could pursue her lawsuit as the company failed to accurately claim that the events shown in the series were factual.

Fiona Harvey was reported to the police by Richard Gadd and she did get a harassment warning. However, she was not sent to prison for months, as shown in the series.

The judge noted that Netflix's claim of Baby Reindeer being a true story could not be considered legitimate as Martha's behavior in the show is far worse than what Fiona was accused of in real life by Harvey.

The Judge allowed Fiona Harvey to pursue a claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress but dismissed her negligence claims, violation of her publicity rights, and punitive damages.

Judge Gary Klausner wrote:

“There is a major difference between stalking and being convicted of stalking in a court of law. Likewise, there are major differences between inappropriate touching and s*xual assault, as well as between shoving and gouging another’s eyes. While plaintiff’s purported actions are reprehensible, Defendants’ statements are of a worse degree and could produce a different effect in the mind of a viewer.”

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What is Baby Reindeer about?

Baby Reindeer follows Donny Dunn, a struggling comedian who works as a bartender in a local London pub. He offers a drink to Martha, played by Jessica Gunning, who gets obsessed with him and starts stalking him in person and online. Martha relentlessly stalks him for the next three years, sending him hundreds of hours of voice messages and sending shocking emails.

The stalking and harassment stop when Donny gets help from law enforcement. Donny's backstory with a senior TV writer Darrien O'Connor was extensively explored in the show. Darrien used to supply drugs to Donny and often r*aped him during drug-induced blackouts. Years later Donny reluctantly agreed to renew collaboration with Darrien.

Donny's life gets crushed between Martha's obsession and Darrien's abuse. However, he manages to find the courage to deal with his demons.

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Baby Reindeer cast explored

• Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn
• Jessica Gunning as Martha Scott
• Nava Mau as Teresa
• Tom Goodman-Hill as Darrien O'Connor
• Nina Sosanya as Liz
• Michael Wildman as Greggsy
• Danny Kirrane as Gino
• Thomas Coombes as Officer Daniels
• Shalom Brune-Franklin as Keeley
• Tom Durant Pritchard as Jason
• Laura Smyth as Glenda
• Will Hislop as Billy
• Amanda Root as Elle
• Mark Lewis Jones as Gerry
• Hugh Coles as Francis
• Josh Finan as Diggsy
• Alexandria Riley as Detective Culver

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Baby Reindeer is currently available for streaming on Netflix.