NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: (L-R) Nava Mau, Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning attend SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations "Baby Reindeer" at SAG-AFTRA Foundation Robin Williams Center on June 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images)
Fiona Harvey has exposed herself as the real-life Martha behind the ‘Baby Reindeer’ series. Now, she wants Netflix to pay her millions for the series’ portrayal of her.
According to TMZ, Harvey filed a defamation lawsuit against the streaming company. She claimed that ‘Baby Reindeer’ was packed with lies about the character based on her. TMZ reports that she’s seeking over $50 million, while CNN specified it at $170 million.
If you’ve seen the limited series, you’ll remember Martha as the curvy liar who grew an obsession with her local bartender, Donny Dunn. By the end of the film, Donny seems to sympathize with Martha’s behavior.
The seven episodes are loosely based on Richard Gadd’s life and alleged experiences with Harvey and a mentor-turned-abuser.
Harvey says the details in the Netflix series led to folks tracking her down and persistently harassing her. The show included real-life social media comments she’d made to Richard Gadd, which made them open to searches.
The lawsuit said the Netflix series “false and defamatory descriptions” has ruined her reputation. Additionally, Fiona Harvey denies that she ever stalked or sexually assaulted Harvey. She also denies being a convicted stalker.
She’s suing Netflix for defamation, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, violations of the right to publicity, and other claims.
Richard Gadd is also listed as a defendant in the lawsuit. The creator has pleaded with people online to leave the characters’ real identities alone. Fiona’s lawsuit indicates that watchers have been playing internet detectives.
She claims that she began getting emails and death threats days after ‘Baby Reindeer’ dropped on the streaming service. According to CNN, the lawsuit said the following:
“She has and continues to experience anxiety, nightmares, panic attacks, shame, depression, nervousness, stomach pains, loss of appetite and fear, extreme stress and sickness all directly caused by the lies told about her.”
Meanwhile, Netflix isn’t just backing down, per a rep who spoke to TMZ on June 7.
“We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd’s right to tell his story,” the rep said.
