The show, which premiered in April to huge global viewership, depicts Gadd’s experience being stalked by a woman named Martha Scott.Within days of the show’s release, internet sleuths identified Harvey as the supposed real-life inspiration for the character.
Scottish woman Fiona Harvey alleges defamation and negligence by Netflix in lawsuit
In her lawsuit, Harvey accuses Netflix and Gadd of telling “brutal lies” that destroyed her reputation. She alleges the show falsely portrayed her as a convicted criminal who went to prison for stalking and claims she never sexually assaulted Gadd, as the character does in one scene.
The complaint states that as a result of the show, Harvey has received death threats, rarely leaves home, and suffers from anxiety, depression and panic attacks. She is seeking a jury trial and at least $170 million in damages for defamation, negligence, and infliction of emotional distress.
Netflix says stands by the series
Netflix has vowed to “defend this matter vigorously” and said it stands by Gadd’s right to tell his story. Gadd has said previously that while inspired by real events, identifying details were changed and the show aimed to “exist in the sphere of art.” Neither Gadd nor actress Jessica Gunning, who plays Martha, have commented on the lawsuit.
“Baby Reindeer” rocketed to the top of Netflix’s most-watched lists after its debut two months ago. Gadd first shared his stalker story in a one-man show at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival before Netflix commissioned it as a series. Despite his pleas for viewers not to seek out the real identities, online detectives quickly zeroed in on Harvey based on similarities to the character.
Legal experts suggests that the case is unlikely to go to trial. Instead, they expect Netflix will seek a settlement, as it did earlier this week in a separate defamation lawsuit over its 2019 series “When They See Us.”