‘Baby Reindeer’: judge rules series is “not a true story” meaning “real” Martha can sue Netflix

nme.com:

Baby Reindeer is “not a true story” meaning the “real-life” Martha can sue Netflix.The drama series, which was created and written by comedian Richard 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 and a title card in the first episode claims it is a “true story”.On Friday (September 27), Judge Gary Klausner ruled that this billing of the story as “true” wasn’t accurate.Fiona Harvey, the woman believed to be the inspiration behind Martha in Baby Reindeer, filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix after the show aired earlier this year.In his ruling, Judge Klausner said that Martha’s behaviour on the show is significantly worse than what Harvey is accused of in real life.The judge wrote: “There is a major difference between stalking and being convicted of stalking in a court of law.

Likewise, there are major differences between inappropriate touching and sexual assault, as well as between shoving and gouging another’s eyes.

While plaintiff’s purported actions are reprehensible, Defendants’ statements are of a worse degree and could produce a different effect in the mind of a viewer.”NME has reached out to Netflix for comment.Harvey was never named on the show, but 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 – where she threatened legal action against both Gadd and Netflix.