‘Baby Reindeer’ The Real Martha Sues Netflix For $170M
The Netflix mini-series Baby Reindeer captivated viewers around the world. Richard Gadd created the drama series based on events of his real life, including encounters with a fictionalized version of his stalker he calls “Martha.”
Fiona Harvey later came forward, confessing to be the inspiration for Martha. She even sat down with Piers Morgan to tell her side of the story. Although she adamantly claimed she never watched Baby Reindeer, she also expressed her dissatisfaction with her onscreen portrayal by actress Jessica Gunning.
Now, Harvey is moving forward with a lawsuit against Netflix. Read on to see what the lawsuit entails.
Fiona Harvey Inspired “Martha” In Baby Reindeer — She Wants Compensation
TMZ obtained court documents pertaining to the lawsuit. In the paperwork, Fiona Harvey asserts that Netflix made it far too easy for viewers to track down her true identity.
After the series debuted on Netflix, Harvey claims that people from all over the world have been looking her up online and blasting her with unwanted messages. But that’s not where it all ends.
Richard Gadd always maintained that Baby Reindeer is loosely based on real events. He previously stated the real Martha never faced any prison time. But apparently not every viewer understood that.
Baby Reindeer even begins by proclaiming the series is based on a true story.
Fiona Harvey also says the series completely obliterated her reputation, since many people believe it to be a scene-by-scene playback of the real situation.
“Harvey claims that Netflix completely ruined her rep with false and defamatory descriptions via their Martha character — with FH flat-out saying in her docs that she NEVER stalked Gadd, never sexually assaulted him and is not a convicted stalker,” TMZ writes.
PEOPLE reports that Harvey wants $170 million in damages now.
“Per the documents, Harvey is seeking at $50 million in actual damages from the streamer in addition to at least $50 million in compensatory damages due to ‘mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of business” and at least $50 million ‘for all profits from Baby Reindeer’. She is also asking for at least $20 million in punitive damages. Those totals exclude ‘legal fees, costs and statutory interest,'” PEOPLE reports.
Of course, Netflix is not at all eager to pay up.
“We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd’s right to tell his story,” Netflix said in an official statement to TMZ.
The Series Continues To Perform Well On Netflix
Although Fiona Harvey isn’t pleased with Baby Reindeer, the series continues to be a sensational hit on Netflix. As of the time of writing, it has a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Online, many viewers said they appreciated a story that explores a man dealing with the aftermath of assault and abuse.
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What did you think of Netflix’s Baby Reindeer? Do you think Fiona Harvey will recover compensation against the streaming giant? Don’t forget to share your own opinions in the comments.
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