The lawyer for the woman who is thought to be Baby Reindeer’s real-life Martha – has responded following the show’s win at last week’s Emmy awards (September 15).
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Richard Gadd – who created, wrote and starred in Baby Reindeer – won the award for Outstanding Writing in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the Emmys on Sunday.
It was the first of three awards the show won on the night, including Outstanding Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie and Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
The drama series, which was created and written by comedian Gadd, proved a ratings hit on the streaming platform. Gadd portrays a fictional version of himself, Donny, in the show. The seven-part programme depicts Gadd’s real experience of being relentlessly stalked by an older woman who is called ‘Martha’ in the show. A title card in the first episode claims it is a “true story”.
Fiona Harvey, the woman believed to be the inspiration behind Martha in Baby Reindeer, subsequently filed a $170million (£133m) defamation lawsuit against Netflix after the show aired earlier this year.
In a statement about the win to Deadline, Harvey’s lawyer, Richard Roth commented on he win, saying: “The Emmy wins confirm that Netflix’s strategy worked, going for the higher revenues and awards while leaving honesty and transparency behind.”
Recently, Gadd responded to the lawsuit, which was filed in California, after Harvey accused the streaming giant of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, gross negligence and violations of her right to publicity (via The Guardian).
After viewers subsequently attempted to find the real people behind the characters – something that led to Harvey giving her first TV interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored – she threatened legal action against both Gadd and Netflix. She later said she was planning a case “against all those who have lied about me” in a lengthy statement.
Harvey identified herself as the inspiration behind Baby Reindeer, but denied many aspects of the story – including being a stalker, sending Gadd 41,000 emails, hundreds of voice messages and over 100 letters.
Harvey is seeking at least $50million (£39m) for actual damages, at least $50million in compensatory damages for “mental anguish, loss of enjoyment and loss of business”, as well as at least $50million for “all profits from Baby Reindeer“, and $20million (£15.6m) for punitive damages.
A spokesperson for Netflix said: “We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd’s right to tell his story.”
‘Baby Reindeer’ starring Richard Gadd. CREDIT: Netflix/Ed Miller
Gadd has since responded to the lawsuit too, detailing what he describes as the “exhausting and extremely upsetting” stalking he allegedly experienced at the hands of Harvey in a 21-page document filed to a California court on July 29 (as per The Guardian).
In his acceptance speech, he said: “Look, 10 years ago, I was down and out right? I never, ever thought I’d get my life together. I never, ever thought I’d be able to rectify myself for what had happened to me and get myself back on my feet again. And then here I am, just over a decade later picking up one of the biggest writing awards in television.”
He continued: “I don’t mean that to sound arrogant – I mean it as encouragement for anyone who’s going through a difficult time now to persevere. I don’t know much about life, I don’t know why we’re here; none of that. But I do know that nothing lasts forever and no matter how bad it gets, it always gets better. So if you’re struggling, keep going. Keep going and I promise you, things will be okay.”
Baby Reindeer was a viewing smash following its arrival on Netflix earlier this year and topped global Netflix charts back in April. It spent a month atop the platform’s viewership rankings and was named Netflix’s 10th most-watched series of all time.
For more help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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