Scottish Woman Sues Netflix Over 'Baby Reindeer' Character Depiction
A Scottish woman, Fiona Harvey, has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, claiming defamation, negligence, and privacy violations over her alleged portrayal as the character Martha in the hit drama series “Baby Reindeer.” Harvey contends that the series broadcast “brutal lies” to an audience of over 50 million worldwide.
The lawsuit, lodged in a California court on Thursday, demands over $170 million (£132 million) in damages. Harvey asserts that the series falsely represents her as a convicted criminal who served prison time for stalking, which she categorically denies. Additionally, she refutes the series’ depiction of her as having sexually assaulted the show’s creator.
Harvey alleges Netflix fabricated these stories for the sake of dramatic effect and profitability. One controversial scene depicts the Martha character assaulting the protagonist along a canal, a claim Harvey insists is untrue. She expressed confidence to BBC News, stating, “I have no doubt about that. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be doing it. We think we are going to win.”
“Baby Reindeer” premiered with the claim, “this is a true story,” although its end credits note that certain elements have been fictionalized. During a recent parliamentary session, Netflix executive Benjamin King described the show as “a true story of the horrific abuse” endured by writer and protagonist Richard Gadd at the hands of a convicted stalker.
Gadd, a comedian, penned and stars in the series, which dramatizes his alleged experiences with a woman he met while working at a pub. Neither Gadd nor Harvey is named in the series. Gadd has also appealed on social media for fans not to try to identify the woman behind the character Martha, though Harvey has since publicly identified herself.
Harvey’s lawsuit criticizes Netflix for failing to verify Gadd’s story, claiming it did “literally nothing” to confirm the accuracy of the events depicted. The complaint highlights the misrepresentation of Harvey’s supposed criminal conviction, the nature of her relationship with Gadd, and the accuracy of the alleged stalking and assault incidents.
Harvey’s attorney, Richard Roth, asserts they possess “incontrovertible documentary evidence” proving Harvey has no criminal record. The lawsuit includes a background check and a certificate supporting this claim.
The portrayal of Martha in “Baby Reindeer” has significantly impacted Harvey’s life, leading to numerous death threats and making her fearful of public exposure. The lawsuit describes her current state as extremely reclusive, avoiding news and rarely leaving her home.
In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Harvey acknowledged knowing Gadd during his pub employment but denied behaving like the Martha character. She dismissed claims of sending thousands of emails and voicemails, admitting only to a few light-hearted exchanges.
The lawsuit also mentions that some of Harvey’s real-life comments, including a 2014 tweet to Gadd, were used in the show’s dialogue. The fallout from “Baby Reindeer” continues to unfold as Harvey pursues legal action in what may become one of 2024’s biggest TV controversies.
