Baby Reindeer lawsuit against Netflix to proceed – US judge rules.
A U.S. judge has ruled that the lawsuit filed by Baby Reindeer against Netflix may proceed, determining that the series in question does not qualify as a ‘true story.’
“Baby Reindeer” is the work of Richard Gadd, 34, who plays Donny Dunn, a somewhat fictionalized version of himself.
The series chronicles the experiences of Donny Dunn, a bartender and aspiring comedian, who becomes the target of a woman named Martha Scott. From the beginning, the audience is informed that the narrative is based on true events. However, Scottish attorney Fiona Harvey claims that the portrayal inaccurately depicts her as a convicted stalker.
A United States judge has determined that the popular streaming series Baby Reindeer has been inaccurately presented as a “true story,” thereby permitting a woman who claims to be the real-life Martha to advance her defamation lawsuit against Netflix. The Emmy-winning series chronicles the experiences of Donny Dunn, a bartender and aspiring comedian, who becomes the target of harassment by a woman named Martha Scott, portrayed by Jessica Gunning.
The series opens with the assertion that “this is a true story.” Developed by Richard Gadd, who also plays the role of Dunn, the series has ignited considerable online speculation regarding the actual identities of various characters, with Scottish attorney Fiona Harvey being identified as the “real Martha.” Earlier this year, Ms. Harvey stated that she felt “compelled” to come forward after receiving online death threats from “internet sleuths.”
Jessica Gunning as Martha Scott, a former lawyer with a criminal past.
She subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking $170 million (£127 million), alleging that the narrative was misleading and falsely implicated her as a convicted stalker, as well as suggesting that she had assaulted Gadd in connection with events depicted in the show.
In July, Netflix submitted a motion seeking to dismiss the lawsuit; however, a ruling issued by Judge Gary Klausner in a Californian court on Friday indicated that “a reasonable viewer could interpret the statements regarding Martha” as pertaining to the plaintiff, Ms. Harvey. The judge noted that the series had amplified Ms. Harvey’s actions, presenting them in a manner that suggested a “worse degree” of severity.
The ruling emphasized that “each of the factors indicates that the statements would be perceived as assertions of fact.” “Although the statements were delivered within a series that predominantly embodies the characteristics of a black comedy-drama, the very first episode clearly asserts that ‘this is a true story’.”
Ms. Harvey has stated in the past that she encountered Gadd during a visit to a pub in London for a meal; however, she clarified that she has never interrupted his comedy performance, visited his residence, or reached out to his parents. During an interview with Piers Morgan in May, she mentioned that she had sent several emails, tweeted at him approximately 18 times, and composed one letter to him.
The individual who inspired the character of Martha in Baby Reindeer was not found guilty of stalking Richard Gadd, contrary to the portrayal in the series. This information has been verified by a letter from Netflix to the U.K. government, which also noted that the individual was under a court order.