Fiona Harvey, a Scottish lawyer, has filed a $170 million defamation lawsuit against Netflix, claiming that the streaming giant's hit series 'Baby Reindeer' has severely damaged her life. Harvey alleges that she has experienced 'mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of business' as a result of the series that depicted her as a stalker.
The Netflix miniseries, created by comedian Richard Gadd, tells the story of a man being harassed by a woman named Martha Scott, who bombards him with over 40,000 emails and numerous hours of voicemails. Harvey, labeled as the 'real Martha Scott' by online investigators, claims the series has led to her receiving death threats and becoming a social pariah.
In her lawsuit, filed in the District Court for the Central District of California, Harvey contends that Netflix and Gadd have told 'the biggest lie in television history,' driven by 'greed and lust for fame.' The document alleges that the show's true claim is false, and the portrayal has caused her severe emotional and psychological distress. Harvey argues that Netflix made no effort to verify any of the allegations depicted in the miniseries.
The lawsuit also accuses Netflix and Gadd of intentionally destroying her life for profit, claiming that the false narrative was a means to gain viewers and generate media buzz. Harvey states she didn't harass Gadd and wasn't imprisoned for stalking. She is seeking $50 million for real damages, another $50 million for compensatory damages such as mental anguish, and another $50 million for all profits from the series. An additional $20 million is sought in punitive damages.
Richard Gadd first shared his stalking experiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019, which later evolved into the Netflix series commissioned in 2021. Gadd has maintained that while the emotional truth of the story is accurate, he altered certain details to protect the people involved. Despite his request for viewers to stop trying to identify the real individuals, Harvey's identity quickly emerged online.
Harvey's complaint underscores that the false portrayal has left her in a constant state of fear and anxiety, making her afraid to leave her house or even check the news. She alleges that Netflix and Gadd's negligence has led to her suffering from panic attacks, nightmares, and extreme stress. Netflix has stated its intention to 'vigorously defend this matter and Richard Gadd's right to tell his story.'
- Despite the severe allegations, Richard Gadd and his co-star Jessica Gunning appeared on NBC's 'The Tonight Show' to discuss the widespread success of 'Baby Reindeer.' Gadd explained that the series achieved unexpected cross-cultural success and emphasized the unique and idiosyncratic nature of the story.
- However, the controversy has thrown a shadow over the series, with fans and critics alike questioning the ethical implications of basing a fictionalized narrative on real events, especially when it involves severe reputational damage to a living person. The case continues to unfold as it garners significant media attention.
- Before her lawsuit, Harvey appeared on 'Piers Morgan Uncensored’ to declare her innocence and highlight the severe impact the series had on her life. She labeled herself a victim of false representation and made public pleas for the harassment to stop.
