Fiona Harvey, who is said to be the real-life inspiration for a character named Martha in the show "Baby Reindeer," is taking legal action against Netflix.
In a lawsuit filed on Thursday, June 6, Harvey claims that the way Martha is portrayed as an obsessive stalker in the popular show is harmful and untrue. She is asking for over $170 million in damages, accusing Netflix and the show's creator, Richard Gadd, of making it easy for viewers to identify her and causing harm to her life and work. According to court documents, TMZ was the first to report on this news.
Harvey is seeking $50 million in actual damages from Netflix, as well as at least $50 million for mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life, and another $50 million for all profits made from the show "Baby Reindeer." Additionally, she is asking for $20 million in punitive damages. These amounts do not include legal fees, costs, and statutory interest.
The lawsuit alleges that the statement "This is a true story" at the beginning of the first episode of "Baby Reindeer" is false and misleading. Harvey claims that Netflix and Richard Gadd fabricated story elements to attract more viewers and sensationalize her life. She denies the allegations of sexual assault and stalking portrayed in the show and insists that she was never convicted of any crimes.
Harvey claims that Gadd incorporated phrases she had said to him and attributed a similar profession to Martha, further blurring the lines between fiction and reality. She alleges that she has faced harassment and reputational damage due to the character Martha.
Harvey's lawsuit accuses Netflix of negligence for failing to verify the accuracy of the story portrayed in the show and for misleading viewers into believing that Martha's characteristics were based on real events.
In addition to defamation, Harvey is suing for negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violations of her right to publicity, among other claims. Harvey's attorneys have stated that they intend to defend her in this matter vigorously. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Netflix has affirmed their support for Richard Gadd's right to tell his story.
Harvey previously spoke out about the accusations in an interview with Piers Morgan, dismissing them as nonsense and denying the allegations of excessive emails and voicemails sent to Gadd. She maintains that their interactions were limited to a few friendly emails.
