LOS ANGELES — A defamation lawsuit against Netflix will proceed after a federal judge ruled that the portrayal in the streaming service’s series “Baby Reindeer” deviated significantly from the truth. The show claimed to be a true story, drawing legal scrutiny and public controversy.
“Baby Reindeer,” features Richard Gadd as the fictional Donny Dunn, who endures persistent stalking by a character named Martha Scott, portrayed by Jessica Gunning. The narrative parallels Gadd’s own experiences but with dramatized elements, which became the center of the legal battle when Fiona Harvey, a Scottish lawyer, claimed the series falsely depicted her as a criminal and stalker.
In response, Netflix sought to dismiss the lawsuit in July, arguing artistic license and dramatic interpretation. However, Gadd himself admitted that Harvey had exhibited stalker-like behaviors towards him historically, further complicating the case.
Judge Gary Klausner stated in his decision that the series’ opening claim, “This is a true story,” set an expectation of factual accuracy that was not met. He highlighted the differences between the allegations against Harvey and their portrayal on the show, noting that while Harvey received a police warning, the series depicted her as a convict, advancing a graver depiction of her actions.
The court found significant identifiable similarities between Harvey and the character Martha, notably their Scottish legal backgrounds and London residences, enhancing Harvey’s claim of being defamed by being recognizable to the viewers.
Harvey, who was never named in the series, was nevertheless identified by viewers who linked her to the character through various online clues. This led to further public association between Harvey and the crimes portrayed on screen.
The lawsuit, which Harvey filed, seeks $170 million in damages, citing defamation, negligence, emotional distress, and privacy breaches, among other allegations. Despite the controversy and the ongoing legal battle, “Baby Reindeer” has achieved critical acclaim, securing several awards, underlining the blurred lines between personal narrative and public fiction.
The proceedings are set to begin on May 6, expected to last approximately two weeks, where more details of this complex interaction between real-life events and their fictional representations will be examined. Meanwhile, Netflix and Gadd’s representatives maintain their stance to vigorously defend their rights to creative storytelling, emphasizing the fictional aspect of the characters and narrative. This case highlights the ongoing tension between artistic expression and the potential for real-world implications, particularly in the depiction of true events and personal histories in media.